2018
Improving white mold management with variable rate planting and foliar applications in soybeans
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Missy Bauer, B&M Crop Consulting
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
18-26
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
$14,800
Institution Funded:
B&M Crop Consulting
$14,800
Brief Project Summary:

White Mold is a significant problem for soybean growers in Michigan. Major yield reductions can occur when the environmental conditions are favorable under susceptible management practices. Since white mold pressure is depended on the environment, pressure varies from year to year. However, there is little warning ahead of time if infections will occur. Therefore the majority of management must come through a preventative approach. According to the North Central Soybean Research Program, integrating several management tactics that include cultural practices, varietal resistance and chemical and biological control can be part of an effective white mold management plan. Plant population is...

Unique Keywords:
#soybean diseases
Information And Results
Final Project Results

Over the two-year study white mold pressure was relatively low and severity within the plant was also low. Despite those conditions, implementing VRA population and fungicide use was still important. White mold incidence counts were reduced with lower populations, fungicide, and cobra fungicide treatments in both years. The best economic treatment for white mold management in the low pressure seasons was VRA population with a fungicide when averaged across the three locations in 2017 and 2018. On average it increased net dollars $32.86 per acre compared to the standard 150K without fungicide. When averaged across both population treatments the fungicide increased net dollars by $8.50 per acre. However, it was the 2018 response driving the economics; in 2017 it was not economical. There is still some economic risk in managing white mold with Endura fungicide, however on average it still pays. The VRA increased net dollars by $23.68 per acre when averaged across the treatments, excluding the cobra treatments. The VRA population is the best place to start with managing white mold since the economics are strong and there is not much risk. Cobra treatments decreased net dollars on average $87.49 per acre; however the majority of that loss came from Plot #1 in 2018. The use of cobra can reduce white mold pressure; however the risk of not overcoming the burn is too great. Therefore it would not be recommended to use Cobra as a treatment for managing white mold.
The overall objective was to determine if VRA planting should be part of the white mold management recommendation for the state of Michigan. This data would support VRA population as the starting place for managing white mold. White mold pressure is driven by population. The use of a white mold foliar fungicide would also be recommended but the economic response may be more variable based on pressure and late season weather. Overall white mold can be reduced and profitability increased by implementing VRA population and using a foliar fungicide. A systems approach for white mold management is important.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.