This proposed work aims to conduct a survey of important stem diseases and insect pests affecting soybean, identifying pests, and assessing adopted management practices.

Infected samples will be collected for a third year across Illinois, and the main pathogenic species will be identified. The data will be summarized, compiled with data collected in the previous years of the project, and used to increase awareness of stem diseases and insect pests of soybean in Illinois. This will be achieved through various oral and written communications, including fact sheets that can be downloaded through the ISA website. This information will guide management strategies and identify future studies that may be needed to target the control of these stem diseases and insect pests.

The proposed research will improve our understanding of the perceived and actual impact of stem diseases and insect pests on soybean production in IL. It will also help identify new and emerging pathogens and pests that could affect soybean production in IL.

The generated information would be crucial to direct and prioritize future research targeting the management of these pathogens and pests in IL.