Cooler, drier conditions mean more caution after planting

With planting season moving at a rapid pace, sprayers will likely be out in full force toward the end of May and early June. The early planting has put some seeds in the ground in cooler conditions, which could pose an early disease threat.

Cooler soils often lead to root rot problems, said Daren Mueller, plant pathologist with Iowa State University Extension. The early planting may result in a slower start for the seed which can lead to gaps between rows along with uneven stands and growth.

“Those are quick signs you might be seeing a problem,” Mueller said. “Anything that looks unusual is worth looking at and paying extra attention too.”

If conditions turn wetter, the threat of disease will increase exponentially, said Tyler Steinkamp, crop protection product manager with WinField United. For those with early soybeans, the biggest issues cold soil temperatures can bring are Pythium and sudden death syndrome.