Sudden Death Syndrome - Management

A soybean variety susceptible to sudden death syndrome bordered by resistant varieties. Photo credit: University of Wisconsin

Effective management of SDS requires an integrated approach:

1. If SDS is causing defoliation in your field, do not plant highly susceptible varieties. Contact your seed dealer for information on varieties with partial resistance or tolerance to SDS. Plant good quality, disease-free seed.
2. Plant in warmer soils. The pathogen prefers cool soil for infection. Move planting dates a week or two after regular early planting dates or till to promote earlier warming of soils. Maintain crop fertility based on soil tests.
3. The fungus can overwinter in cysts of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), thus increasing its survival ability from season to season. Thus, the presence of SCN may favor development of SDS. Management practices to reduce soybean cyst nematode populations are thought to also delay onset of SDS.
4. Two year rotation between soybean crops and maintaining good crop nutrition have been shown to reduce incidence and severity of SDS.

Information on these pages is from the cooperative effort of researchers throughout the North Central states. Information from this site can be copied and distributed for educational use. Please credit the source with our name and URL: NCSRP Plant Health Initiative at www.planthealth.info. Please do not use copyrighted photos without permission.