The proposed research project is designed to advance the soybean farming industry in North Dakota by improving the understanding of seed treatment use for early-season disease and insect pest control. Split into three objectives, the study aims to holistically evaluate fungicide and insecticide seed treatments effectiveness and their interactions with seeding rates, planting dates, and cover cropping. The initial phase of the project will focus on the performance of seven distinct seed treatment programs across six locations in North Dakota. This comprehensive examination will offer a well-rounded view of each treatment's potency against soybean pests in varying environments, coupled with an economic analysis to gauge its financial feasibility. Subsequent investigations will delve deeper, focusing on three select seed treatment programs. We will explore the treatments' efficacy across three seeding rates and two planting dates, drawing valuable insights about their efficacy across different environmental conditions. This phase is critical in determining whether regional standard seeding rates can be adjusted when using specific treatments, offering potential cost savings. Lastly, this project turns its attention to the integration of seed treatments within cover cropping systems, specifically winter rye. This objective aims to better understand the balance between leveraging cover crops' agronomic benefits and managing the heightened risk of seedling diseases they might introduce. Encompassing economic analyses and multi-site trials, this project promises to equip North Dakota's soybean farmers with evidence-based practices. The outcomes will not only optimize yield but also streamline cost and resource allocation, pushing agronomic innovation.

I. The effectiveness and economic viability of seed treatments on soybean for controlling pests will be evaluated.
II. The integration of seed treatments and seeding rates for controlling pests will be examined when soybeans are planted either early or late.
III. The effectiveness of seed treatments when integrated with cover cropping systems will be evaluated.

This project will lead to the development of more informed recommendations for the use of seed treatments for controlling early season soybean diseases to protect early stand establishment. The results of this research also provide direct evidence for practices which could be integrated for further disease control or agronomic management such as seeding rates, planting dates, and cover cropping.
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- Evidence-Based Recommendations: The research will result in informed guidelines on the utilization of seed treatments for mitigating early-season soybean diseases, ensuring optimal early stand establishment.
- Comparative Analysis of Fungicide Programs: A comprehensive evaluation of commercially available fungicide seed treatments across different environments in North Dakota. This includes data on their effectiveness against soybean pathogens and economic viability.
- Seeding Rate Recommendations: Based on the testing of fungicide treatments combined with varied seeding rates and planting times, the project will advise on possible adjustments to traditional seeding rates.
- Planting Date Insights: Results will highlight the optimal planting times for maximizing the effectiveness of fungicide seed treatments in varying spring conditions.
- Cover Cropping Strategies: The project will offer insights on integrating seed treatments within cover cropping systems, particularly with winter rye. Recommendations will cover strategies for cover crop termination that both leverage their benefits and minimize seedling disease risks.
- Economic Analyses: Each of the project's objectives will be supplemented with a comprehensive economic analysis. This will provide stakeholders with clear cost-benefit analyses, aiding in decision-making for the most cost-effective disease control strategies.
- Scalable Practices: The results from this research will inform agronomic management practices on a larger scale. They'll include guidance on disease control measures, seeding rates, planting dates, and cover cropping techniques that can be integrated for broader applications.
- Stakeholder Engagement: As the project offers direct evidence and actionable insights, it will serve as a foundation for engaging with the farming community, facilitating discussion on continued research efforts, and improving informed decision-making.

North Dakota soybean farmers can gain a great deal from this research. By receiving seed treatment recommendations tailored to the unique growing conditions of their region, they'll be equipped with insights distinct from generic guidelines that might apply to other states. These localized findings are pivotal, ensuring that our farmers are armed with the most precise and actionable knowledge, allowing them to optimize decisions tailored to their individual operations and the specific challenges of North Dakota's agricultural landscape.