Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) results when iron in the soil is not available for uptake by the soybean plant.
This causes poor growth and yellowing of the plant and has a strong, negative effect on yield. Genetic
resistance to IDC is available in private company soybean varieties, however these tolerance scores are self-
reported by the companies. To assist grower interpretation of IDC scores and ensure accurate reporting,
NDSU conducts third party IDC tolerance scoring of self-entered private company lines. These scores are
published publicly online in August and on paper in November. To expedite and improve objectivity of IDC
scoring, the program will transition to drone image based scoring. An algorithm will be developed and
validated using ground truth data. Finally, to further enhance understanding of the interaction between
tolerant varietal IDC scoring and soil conditions, the soil properties: carbonates, nitrate, and salinity will be
analyzed from affected fields. These properties will be correlated to IDC severity in the that field and
compared to tolerant varietal scoring. These findings will provide a big picture approach for growers to
select the best variety for their IDC affect growing area.

• Test private company soybean varieties for IDC tolerance and publicly report scores
• Soil properties are known to increase incidence of IDC, sampling will be carried out to determine the
presence of 1) carbonates, 2) nitrate, and 3) salinity. It will be elucidated how these properties interact
and contribute to IDC alongside genetic differences.
• Leveraging funding from an USB funded IDC student researcher, algorithms will be created to analyze
IDC scores with drone imagery and validated with ground truth data.

Growers will be provided with data that enables them to identify the best varieties for fields that are susceptible
to IDC. Data will be analyzed and reported in the NDSU bulletin entitled ‘North Dakota Soybean Performance (A
-843) and posted online at https://vt.ag.ndsu.edu/list/soy. Soil properties will be collected and correlated to
IDC severity. These data will further understanding between the soil property x IDC x variety tolerance
interaction. Utilizing drone technology to record IDC scores, once validated, will allow for faster and more
precise note taking without human bias.

North Dakota farmers will directly benefit from this project in several ways. First, private company varieties will
be tested for IDC tolerance scores side by side in the same locations, offering a direct comparison of IDC
tolerance which is conducted by NDSU, a non-biased third party. Second, analysis of the IDC affected field(s) soil
profile will add further understanding of the cause of the IDC symptom severity. The final assessment of these
data should allow farmers to interpret their soil testing reports to understand the severity of IDC in their field
and help to choose the most appropriate IDC tolerant variety. Finally, the modernization of IDC scoring using
drone imaging will allow for faster and more accurate IDC scores reported for the private company trial.