On November 30 and December 1, Indigo Ag called on faculty from ISU’s plant pathology, entomology and microbiology (PPEM) department to provide up-to-date information and insights into their specialized areas.

On day one, field crop pathologists Daren Mueller and Alison Robertson discussed seedling diseases of corn and soybean. They explained how to identify certain diseases, the pathogens involved and their complexes and general management options. Robertson also discussed her current research on cover crops and their affect on corn seedling diseases.

Day two began at ISU’s Advanced Teaching and Research Building (ATRB) where ISRC Director and professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology Greg Tylka provided the latest information on nematodes that are problematic to corn and soybean. Tylka also spoke in depth on the biology and management of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and spent time with the group in the ATRB teaching lab, so participants could observe different life stages of the microscopic pest.