Soybean Seedling Disease Series Part 3: Pythium – The Seedling Killer

We’re breaking down the top four soybean seedling diseases plaguing farmers in ND, MN and SD: Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Fusarium. We’ve covered Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia. Today we’ll focus on what contributes to Pythium and what you can do to manage it.   

Pythium Facts 

• In the Midwest, Pythium has been found to be pathogenic in both corn and soybeans. 
• Infections begin soon after planting. 
• More than 30 different species are known to cause problems in soybeans. 
• Pythium has a very wide range of hosts including many weed species. 

What Does Pythium Look Like? 

• Most known to cause stand establishment problems. 
• Cool, wet soil conditions are most often the cause of infections, especially saturated soils when the young seedling is under oxygen stress. 
• No known crops have resistance to the disease. 
• Pythium and Phytophthora are closely related and are most often found in periods of excess moisture in the soil. 

What Can You Do About Pythium? 

• Fungicides like Metalaxyl and Azoxystrobin have shown “consistent economic return” when applied to fields prone to Pythium. (source: Compendium of Soybean Diseases) 
• Because cool, wet soils favor infections, “Growers should avoid planting when soil will be cool and wet for a few days, because such conditions favor the development of the seedling disease.” (Source: Compendium of Soybean Diseases) 
• The most effective management of this disease is the investment in quality seed treatment formulated to address these pathogens. 

There is a long list of diseases waiting throughout the season to take down your yields.  An investment in seed treatment protects a soybean variety’s maximum yield potential.   

If you have questions about what you’re seeing in your fields, seed placement or seed treatment, drop me a line at Rick@PetersonFarmsSeed.com.  

Ready for more? Check out Part 4: Fusarium– The Dry Rot