Soybean crop infected with frogeye leaf spot.

With spring planting beginning for some and quickly approaching for others, foliar diseases may not yet be top of mind. However, it’s never too early to take steps to protect your soybeans’ plant health. As we head into the 2020 season, 1 yield-robbing disease you should plan for is frogeye leaf spot (FELS).

As you know, both strobilurin-resistant and susceptible FELS are common in the Mid-South, and according to the United Soybean Board, foliar diseases like FELS cost the industry $700 million each year. In fact, among the 4 top foliar soybean diseases, researchers with the University of Kentucky have identified FELS as the leading cause of yield loss in the state.

As mentioned in a previous frogeye leaf spot blog post, the earlier you take steps to manage this disease, the better. Here are some things to consider before you plant:

• Understand your weather conditions. FELS thrives in warm and humid weather, making the spring and summer the most conducive environments. Frequent rain can also lead to broadening the geographic range of the disease, which further threatens your soybean yield.
• Be proactive about using fungicides. Symptoms of frogeye leaf spot are not visible immediately, so waiting too long to apply your fungicide can be costly. Research from the University of Tennessee says applying fungicides within R3-R4 is the best time to protect from the disease.
• Stay ahead of resistance. Not all fungicides are effective at fighting strobilurin-resistant As you know, strobilurin-resistant FELS is widespread in southern states. Researchers with the University of Kentucky recommend you select a fungicide with multiple modes of action to protect your soybeans.

We recommend preventive measures like Miravis® Top fungicide. It’s custom-built with 2 effective modes of action delivering superior disease control and plant-health benefits, helping drive potential yield and ROI higher.

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