EAST LANSING, Mich. — Sclero-cast is a new tool to aid producers and consultants in identifying high risk for the development of white mold in soybeans. This tool, developed by the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University and Iowa State University, will help producers decide if fungicide applications targeting white mold are warranted.
We have an excellent opportunity to validate the new Sclero-cast white mold apothecia risk indicator because white mold is showing up in some Michigan soybean fields this summer. We are asking producers that have fields infested with moderate to severe levels of white mold to provide the following information for each infested field:
- Field location (town and nearest cross roads)
- Soybean variety
- Planting date
- Row spacing
- Irrigated or dryland
- Date that the first open blossoms appeared
- Percentage infection or out of 10 feet of row how many plants are diseased
Please send the information to Martin Chilvers at chlivers@msu.edu. The provided information will be kept confidential and used solely to validate or modify Sclero-cast. Producers that provide the requested information will help validate or improve the reliability of this exciting and important new white mold management tool.
— Mike Staton, Michigan State University Extension, and Marty Chilvers, MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
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