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Seed Quality at Harvest

September 29, 2008
Image of a soybean field with leaf blight late in fall

by XB Yang, Department of Plant Pathology

During the past planting season, there were many reports of low soybean seed germination rates, which may have been the result of last year’s wide spread of Phomopsis. Severe  Phomopsis fungus infection can reduce seed quality. This season, several diseases (Cercospora, downy mildew, and white mold) were prevalent in different parts of Iowa; the causal fungi of these diseases can infect seeds. As harvest begins, it is time to learn about these diseases and check seed quality.


Crop: