Convenient herbicide-tolerant technology has made it possible to reach average soybean yields by simply planting, spraying and harvesting the crop.  However, growers looking to surpass typical yields and protect their investment are heading back to the fields to scout for a growing list of threats, including aphids and Asian Soybean Rust (ASR). A myriad of diseases, pests and insects cost U.S. soybean growers billions of dollars each year, but area agronomists are encouraging growers to fight back with good, old-fashioned scouting. 

“To obtain more return from every acre, growers can’t just plant, spray and harvest their soybeans,” said Marcus Jones, technical services manager for NK® Brand. “We find the time invested in scouting is still well spent. It allows growers to efficiently identify pests taxing their seed investment, and ultimately, protect their crop’s true yield potential.”

For example, aphids, first detected in the United States six years ago, overtake a soybean plant, spreading viruses and reducing yields by 50 percent or more. By mid-June this year, aphids were found in Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and Tennessee soybean fields. If an ASR outbreak occurs, U.S. growers could lose between $640 million to $1.34 billion. However, the No. 1 yield-robbing pest remains soybean cyst nematode (SCN), which alone causes $1.5 billion in annual yield losses.  This is equivalent to more than 273 million bushels with soybeans priced at $5.50/bu.

“All of these problems can be identified if growers scout their fields and not solely rely on their one-pass herbicide application to protect yield,” Jones added.  “Frequent and thorough scouting allows growers to monitor pest progression, time proper in-season treatment and respond to immediate threats, such as an ASR outbreak. Additionally, creating a historical log of each field’s pest pressure helps with future planning through proper seed selection, crop rotation and applications.”

According to Jones, scouting is as important to this year’s crop as it is to next year’s. Choosing a variety that yields well in specific conditions and controls individual challenges is the first step to higher soybean yields. NK Brand soybeans feature strong disease packages designed to handle a broad range of pests and diseases, including SCN, seedling diseases and white mold. When paired with the popular protection of CruiserMaxx™ Beans* seed treatment, growers experience an extra level of security to guard genetic potential and get soybeans off to a healthy start. In addition, Syngenta is field testing aphid-resistant soybeans this year, and will make the varieties available in NK Brand soybeans in the near future.

As growers head back out to their fields, what should they scout for?  The following are a few key challenges that Jones recommends growers keep an eye on this summer:

Scout for: SCN – infestations may go undiscovered for numerous years.

What it looks like: Symptoms rarely visible above ground, but plants may appear stunted or yellow. Check for females and cysts on roots, or send soil for lab tests.

When to scout: Planting to Harvest

 Scout for: Soybean Aphids – early crop reports suggest they may be an issue this year.

What it looks like: Small, lime-green or yellow insect with black accents. Usually found on stems, petioles and leaves.

When to scout: June to August

 Scout for: Asian Soybean Rust – most likely not an issue in the Midwest this season.

What it looks like: Although similar to brown spot, mature rust lesions contain cone-shaped pustules, which can be distinguished with a 20x lens.

When to scout: June to September

 Scout for: Bean Leaf Beetles – two generations, yield loss up to 30 percent.

What it looks like: Tan or red with black markings, measuring ¼ inch. Feeds on foliage, blooms and pods.

When to scout: July to September 

What it looks like: White growth on outside of plant. Intensity depends on moisture.

When to scout: July to September

 Scout for: Fungal infections, including frog-eye leaf spot, brown stem rot and charcoal rot.

What it looks like: Discoloration of leaves and/or stems ranging from yellow to reddish-brown to dark gray. Intensity depends on weather, especially right before and after flowering.

When to scout: July to September

 Scout for: Sudden Death Syndrome – 2004 yield loss was 42 million bushels.

What it looks like: Severity depends on weather. Scattered yellow patches that spread while veins remain green. Leaves may drop off and plants eventually wilt and die.

When to scout: August

“Weather and other factors can mask or exaggerate issues, meaning what growers didn’t see last year could be a problem this year,” Jones said. “With careful scouting, growers can find hidden problems and properly diagnose challenges that produce similar symptoms, allowing them to effectively treat their crop.”

A great companion to proper scouting is the AgriEdgeTM Soybean system of agronomic solutions for higher soybean yields.  The system provides protection from planting to harvest with a combination of premium NK Brand genetics with effective disease packages, plus a strong portfolio of products to treat the crop as needed or broadly up front.

“Scouting not only determines proper application timing to manage current diseases and pests, but it also is a powerful tool for building a field history and better managing crops in the future,” Jones said. “The key is to look in the field now, look back at field history and look ahead to next year. 

For more information on scouting and NK Brand varieties, contact your local NK Brand dealer, agronomist or representative, or visit www.nk-us.com.

NK Brand Seeds is a trusted hybrid corn, soybean and alfalfa seed supplier with more than 100 years of service in the marketplace.  The brand provides growers more yield and better choices for the way they farm through innovative products and solutions.  Located in Golden Valley, Minn., NK Brand Seeds is part of Syngenta. 

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2005 were approximately $8.1 billion.  Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

*A CruiserMaxx™ Beans brand product is an insecticide and fungicide seed treatment combination. CruiserMaxx Beans is one or more separately registered products or combination of products containing the following: CruiserMaxx™; CruiserMaxx™ and Apron® XL; Cruiser®, Maxim® and Apron XL; or Cruiser and an ApronMaxx® brand fungicide. CRUISER technology is protected by U.S. Patent number 6,753,296, and other patents and pending applications in the US and other countries.

AgriEdge™, Apron®, ApronMaxx®, Cruiser®, CruiserMaxx™, Maxim®, and NK® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.