Control of white mold in soybean is difficult as the pathogen produces sclerolia, which can survive in the soil for more than seven years. Since the occurrence of white mold is erratic depending on environmental factors with the detection of infection frequently too late for fungicide application, fungicide sprays are often not effective or economical to apply. To avoid unnecessary, costly fungicide applications, the feasibility of a white mold occurrence forecasting model is being researched.

Any existing white mold forecasting models are, generally, not applicable do to varying climatic conditions. Initial efforts include adopting existing models to fit soybean production in Michigan,...