Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Soybean Information - 00000011
11/16/00

Diagnostic Outline Guide Trouble Shooting Techniques and Diagnostic Aids


To better understand the nature of a soybean problem,
good troubleshooting techniques, along with the use of
diagnostic aids, are required. Consider the following
four basic steps:

1. Identify the soybean growth stage when the problem
occurs and know the types of problems and their symptoms
which can occur at this stage.

2. When examining affected plants, try to determine if
the problem occurred at one time or if it is continuous.
All affected plant parts should be identified and
symptoms noted.

3. Compare symptoms with those described in this
troubleshooting guide.

4. When satisfactory diagnostic decisions cannot be made,
take soil samples for nematode and fertility status and
plant tissue samples for further fertility and pest
diagnosis. All samples should be paired, i.e. one for
normal soybeans and one from affected soybeans.

It is also important to know something about the cropping
history, weather, and management practices for the field.
The following is a checklist of diagnostic aids
identifying what to look for or find out regarding the
current crop status:

**Field identification.

**Cropping history (for at least the previous two growing
seasons).

**Soil test results (soil pH and levels for P, K, Ca, and
Mg).

**Plant tissue test results (major plus most secondary
and minor nutrients).

**Soil nematode assay results (species and population
levels, including races, if possible, eg. Soybean cyst).

**Fertilizer and liming practices (time, rate, and method
of application).

**Pesticide application (time, rate and method of
application).

**Tillage and planting procedures.

**Other cultural management information (eg. rainfall,
soybean variety, soil temperatures, etc.)


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