Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome

Search the site

Disease: SDS

Basics

Disease cycle

Links to state resources

Variety trials

Founded by the North Central Soybean Research Program --and funded by the Soybean Checkoff – this website is a portal to current, science-based information on soybean pests and diseases, from university soybean researchers throughout the 12-state region.

Your Soybean Checkoff.
Delivering Results.

University of Illinois
Southern Illinois University

Iowa State University

Kansas State University

Michigan State University

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska

North Dakota State University

Ohio State University

Purdue University

South Dakota State University

University of Wisconsin

Sudden Death Syndrome - Risk assessment

View video: ISU plant pathologists Alison Robertson and Leonor Leandro discuss the 2010 outbreak of Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans.

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

SDS is commonly associated with the soybean cyst nematode

The SDS pathogen spreads from field to field with the movement of soil on equipment, field activity, birds, animals, and wind or water erosion. SDS is also found in the cysts of soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Because of this close association between SDS and SCN, assume that if you have one or the other, you probably have both. Test for SCN and make management decisions based on both.

Plant Health Initiative