Growers assessing wet conditions in Southern Illinois soybean fields.

It’s wet. Across the Midwest and South, soggy soybean fields are slowing growers down at an ideal time for planting. With this wet weather not only comes delays in everyday operations, but it also leads to more long-term concerns: Am I going to experience runoff? Are my soybeans going to emerge healthy? Are my soybeans going to emerge at all? Am I ever going to get back in the fields? However, one of the biggest threats still to come is that of soybean seedling disease.

The University of Minnesota Extension says seedling infections can cause damage that will persist throughout the growing season. Saturated soil conditions are favorable to the development and spread of disease, such as Phytophthora, Pythium and Fusarium.

Although all growers should be closely scouting to stay on top of potential disease presence in the coming weeks, those who used a fungicide seed treatment can consider their soybeans at a lower risk for infection than those who did not.

Syngenta recommends using CruiserMaxx^® Vibrance^® Beans seed treatment, a combination of separately registered products, to mitigate potential disease risk and improve yields. CruiserMaxx Vibrance Beans provides effective protection against major fungal diseases by creating healthier, more robust root systems. Through the Cruiser Vigor Effect, soybeans will emerge quicker, furthering the reduction of seedling disease risk and providing better yield performance and stability.

With unpredictable weather each season, having an insurance policy like a seed treatment can be a crucial component to protecting yield. Investing in one can provide security to your soybeans all season long.

Sign up for the Know More, Grow More Digest to receive twice monthly agronomic e-mail updates pertinent to your area.

All photos are the property of Syngenta or are used with permission.

Syngenta hereby disclaims liability for third party websites.