Discolored soybean seed
The incidence and severity of the soybean diseases, which cause seed discoloration and deterioration are greatly increased by warm, wet conditions late in the season.
For grain crops there are no potential rescue treatments. Fields should be harvested as soon as possible to prevent further seed damage.
Many of the pathogens causing seed discoloration and deterioration can survive on soybean seed. Heavily infected seed, if planted, could produce diseased seedlings resulting in stand problems. Therefore, seed from infected fields should not be saved for planting. If infected seed must be used for planting, it should be thoroughly cleaned, a sample submitted for a germination test (preferably a stress test) and a fungicide seed treatment applied. Many of the pathogens that cause these diseases may also survive in infested residues left on the soil surface. Thus, crop rotation is an important means of preventing or reducing disease outbreaks. At least one year between soybean crops is recommended. Varieties may differ in their reaction to these various diseases and, if possible, good quality seed of resistant varieties should be planted.