Purdue University shares the proper sampling procedures to follow for an accurate diagnosis of parasitic nematodes in corn and soybeans.

EPA has approved Bayer CropSciences' application for the registration of Ilevo.

When you think of tightening your belt in crop production, it often means cutting your production costs while maintaining yield to increase profitability. The opposite can be just as effective: Maintaining your production costs while increasing yield will increase profitability.

It has been a long cold winter with record low temperatures. This has led to some growers wondering if they still have to worry about plant diseases this growing season. As cold as it has been this winter, it may not have been cold enough for plant pathogens to die. Fungal pathogens have survival structures that enable them withstand very harsh weather conditions.

Nematodes are common pests in many soybean fields in the state.

A large body of literature has shown that genetically-modified plants that produce proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to protect themselves from insect pests have little to no effect on a wide range of nontarget insects. However, concerns about Bt crops still exist.

Nematodes are often talked about in a quiet fearful voice. The image of the small microscopic worms can bring grown men to their knees. Unfortunately like many things in our world, a few? apples have ruined the entire bushel.

To confirm potentially damaging nematodes in corn, samples that contain both soil and root systems need to be submitted.

This springs cool, wet weather is making it difficult for Iowa farmers to plant their soybeans and making it easier for a well-known pest to affect this years crop. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a soil-borne fungus, is a disease that is highly dependent on the weather and the resistance level of the planted soybean varieties.

Melissa Mitchum, a plant scientist and molecular nematologist at the University of Missouri, cloned the first gene linked to natural soybean cyst nematode resistance.