Managing Red Crown Rot in Soybeans: Where the Research Stands and Where It’s Headed

Red Crown Rot (RCR) has emerged as a significant threat to soybean production in the United States, expanding northward from traditional southern strongholds into the Midwest. To provide farmers and industry stakeholders with current, expert-grounded guidance on RCR management, six specialists representing academic institutions, agricultural associations, and agrochemical companies were interviewed.

Stephanie Porter, Outreach Agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), draws on extensive grower feedback through the ISA Growing Concerns Survey, documenting yield losses of 20–50% in affected field areas. From the university sector, Martin Chilvers, Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist at Michigan State University, and Carl Bradley, Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky, contribute complementary perspectives grounded in multistate field research, controlled laboratory work, and fungicide efficacy trials. Both emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis, characterization of variety responses, and integrated management approaches.

From the seed treatment industry, Leo Zappe, Global Portfolio Management Seedcare & Biologicals, and Jader Caricati, Global Product Management Lead – Seedcare, both from Syngenta, discuss the development and performance of VICTRATO® and SALTRO®, including their effectiveness across diverse Midwest environments and interactions with broader soilborne disease complexes. Willem-Jan Meulemeesters, General Manager of Gowan Netherlands, represents the biological seed treatment perspective, specifically addressing CeraMax® and natamycin-based approaches.

The interviews reveal several consistent themes. First, accurate diagnosis remains challenging, as RCR symptoms closely resemble Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and other soilborne diseases, requiring hands-on scouting and laboratory confirmation. Second, seed treatments remain the most reliable near-term control, with products such as VICTRATO® and SALTRO® demonstrating strong performance in field trials, though efficacy varies by location and growing conditions. Third, integrated management—combining chemistry, genetics, cultural practices, and proper field monitoring—offers the most durable path forward.