Quantifying soybean yield losses due to sudden death syndrome SDS

Sudden death syndrome is one of the major yield-limiting diseases of soybean and has widely spread across soybean producing states in the U.S. Every year; farmers suffer substantial yield losses due to this disease. Because of the limited understanding of the impact of SDS on soybean yield, it makes it difficult for farmers to decide whether or not to apply management tactics. At Iowa State University, we have quantified soybean yield losses due to SDS at different spatial scales to understand how SDS influence soybean yield in commercial soybean fields. Our initial findings reveal that, in severe disease conditions, SDS can cause up to 40% yield losses, especially when symptoms develop early. If farmers can manage SDS and delay the symptom expression for one week, they can save up to 3.5 bushels of soybean seed per acre in a week. This information will support the farmer’s decision for the application of disease management tactics and will guide recommendations for efficient and sustainable allocation of management resources.