By Andi Anderson
A fungus called red crown rot is spreading across the Midwest, causing concern for soybean farmers in Indiana. Known scientifically as calonectria iliciola, this disease is identifiable by a dark red discoloration at the root-stem junction and can infect the entire root system, eventually killing the plant.
This can result in severe crop loss, with potentially half or more of a plant’s soybean pods being lost.
While red crown rot was traditionally found in southern regions, it has recently been identified in eight Indiana counties: Bartholomew, Decatur, Rush, Knox, Spencer, DeKalb, Allen, and Adams.
Darcy Telenko, an extension plant pathologist from Purdue University, explained that environmental factors like warmer, wetter spring conditions may have allowed this pathogen to thrive in the region.
Currently, experts estimate that red crown rot will affect less than one percent of soybean yields across Indiana, but the damage to individual fields could be significant. "In some fields I visited, patches covering 15 to 20 percent of the field showed yellowing symptoms, indicating that those areas are likely to suffer major yield losses," Telenko noted.
This suggests that the impact may vary widely between different fields, with some experiencing more severe losses.
As the spread of red crown rot continues, Telenko emphasized the importance of identifying and managing this disease. Potential management practices include seed treatments, selecting resistant crop varieties, and possibly adjusting planting dates.
However, she acknowledged that more research is necessary to develop effective strategies for controlling the fungus in Midwest conditions.
The movement of infected soil and equipment, as well as water transfer, can contribute to the spread of red crown rot. Farmers are advised to be cautious with field practices to prevent further spread.
With ongoing research, Telenko and her team aim to provide solutions that can help Indiana farmers protect their soybean crops and manage the impact of this emerging threat.
This development highlights the need for proactive crop management and continued research to safeguard soybean production in the Midwest against the growing risk of red crown rot.
Photo Credit: istock-oticki
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety