Black Soybean in Ohio: Addressing Stem, Pod, and Seed Decay

By Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Dr. Laura Lindsey, and Dr. Alex Lindsey, Adapted from C.O.R.N. 2024-38

Following the aftermath of severe drought and Hurricane Helene, soybean farmers in Ohio have faced considerable challenges with stem, pod, and seed decay, leading to the occurrence of blackened soybeans in certain regions. This article serves as a follow-up to our previous report.

Understanding the Impact of Pod and Seed Decay on Soybean. The heavy rains following Hurricane Helene, which came after a severe drought, have created ideal conditions for fungal growth to negatively impact soybeans, especially those planted early (Fig. 1). These fields that matured early, already weakened by drought stress, became more vulnerable to fungal colonization, resulting in stem, pod, and seed decay. This “black soybean” phenomenon has been particularly noted in areas affected by this extreme weather pattern.

Figure 1. The soybean plants in the foreground, which were planted on April 16, 2024, exhibit black discoloration following Hurricane Helene.… Continue reading