DISEASES OF SOYBEAN - WHITE MOLD

In midsummer, as the soybean canopy closes and as humidity around plants increases, sclerotia that are buried just below the soil surface germinate to form small (~1/4 inch diameter) mushroom-like structures called apothecia. Apothecia produce spores that infect succulent tissues such as flowers. From these succulent food bases, the fungus aggressively colonizes the rest of the plant leading to general wilt symptoms (see arrow in photo). Plant death usually follows.