The proposed research project is designed to advance the soybean farming industry in North Dakota by improving the understanding of the use of seed treatments 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 first objective of the project will focus on the performance of nine distinct seed treatment programs across multiple locations across North Dakota. This evaluation will offer a well-rounded view of each treatment's effectiveness against soybean pests (pathogens and insects), coupled with an economic analysis to gauge their financial feasibility. The second objective will dive deeper, focusing on four select seed treatment programs across two seeding rates and two planting dates. This study is critical in determining whether regional standard seeding rates could be adjusted when using specific seed treatments, offering potential cost savings. Lastly, the third objective of the 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 aims to equip North Dakota's soybean farmers with evidence-based practices. The outcome of these investigations will not only optimize yield but also improve operation profitability.

Objective 1. The effectiveness and economic viability of seed treatments on soybeans for controlling pests (insects and pathogens) will be evaluated.
Objective 2. The integration of seed treatments and seeding rates for controlling pests will be examined when soybeans are planted either early or late.
Objective 3. 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 that could be integrated for further disease control or agronomic management such as seeding rates, planting dates, and cover cropping.
- 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 potentially 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 into 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 include a partial economic analysis. This will provide farmers with clear cost-benefit analyses, which will help in decision-making for the most cost-effective disease control strategies.
- Scalable Practices: The results from this research will provide key info on agronomic management practices, and they'll include guidance on disease control measures, seeding rates, planting dates, and cover cropping techniques that can be integrated for broader applications.

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 critical, ensuring that our farmers are armed with the most precise and up-to-date information, allowing them to optimize decisions tailored to their individual operations and the specific challenges of North Dakota's agricultural landscape.