Update:
View uploaded report 
2016 – 2017 Executive Summary June 30, 2017
Sudden Death Syndrome Short Course
PI: Sam Markell, Ph.D.
Collaborator: Dean Malvick, Ph.D. (University of Minnesota)
What is the objective of this project?
Educate a critical mass of ND grower-educators about identification, diagnosis, and management of Sudden Death Syndrome; including crop consultants, county Extension agents, NDSC members and other agricultural professionals.
Why is this research is important to farmers?
Sudden Death Syndrome is a significant yield-limiting disease of soybean. The pathogen interacts with Soybean Cyst Nematode, and tends to ‘follow’ the movement of SCN. In 2011, Sudden Death Syndrome was confirmed in Ottertail county, MN; less than 100 miles from North Dakota. Similarly, Sudden Death Syndrome is widespread in Eastern South Dakota. It is possible that Sudden Death Syndrome will be a problem in North Dakota in the future.
Having a critical mass of grower-educators who know how to identify and manage Sudden Death Syndrome will be very important for early detection and management of this disease in North Dakota. A small number of critical professionals in agriculture will make management recommendations on 500,000 to 1 million acres of soybeans produced in the state. Providing an in-depth and hands-on training to this critical mass, who have the ability to act as first-responders, greatly increases the chances of early detection and active management of this disease.
How is this project conducted?
The Short Course was designed by Dr. Dean Malvick at the University of Minnesota and held on the morning of August 31st, 2016. Content included SDS biology, identification and management. Emphasis was placed on in-field identification.
Logistics were coordinated by Sam Markell and Aimee Thapa (NDSU Extension Administrative Assistant). Attendees were strategically selected based on ND geography and occupation; members of the NDSC, the NDSU Extension Service, Crop Consultants, Seed/Chemical Company professionals and one graduate student were included. All attendees arrived in Fargo on August 30th and traveled together to Mystic Lake Hotel and Casino for dinner and lodging. The short course began the next morning and concluded with a working lunch. Attendees returned to the Fargo at approximately 5:00-6:00 pm.
What were the results?
Symptoms were excellent during the Short Course. Dr. Dean Malvick provided a very thorough overview of the disease, and included detailed content in specific areas of interest; primarily identification and management with genetics and seed treatments. Throughout the short-course, Dr. Markell and Kendall Nichols provided relevant commentary of local importance to North Dakota.
An evaluation of learning was done during the short course. The level of knowledge among the attendees was evaluated for six critical areas, including 1) the cause of SDS, 2) ability to identify SDS, 3) conditions that favor SDS, 4) how SDS can be managed, 5) how SDS impacts yield and 6) likelihood that SDS already occur in North Dakota. Attendees reported an increase in their knowledge level in each category.