Plant Health Initiative

Sudden Death Syndrome - Risk assessment

Sudden death syndrome tends to be most severe on well-managed soybeans with a high yield potential. Fields with a history of SDS have a high risk potential.

Infection by the SDS pathogen is favored by

• Slow seed germination and emergence, which prolongs the contact period between pathogen and soybean. These conditions are more likely to occur in early planting than later planting dates.
• High soil moisture during the vegetative growth period
• Unseasonably cool temperatures prior to or during flowering and pod set