[2] Soybean host plant susceptibility has been researched since the early 1950s, bringing light to the need for developing resistant varieties.

[3] Botanist AA Hildebrand[3] ran a varietal selection experiment to determine susceptible varieties in northern climates.

Successful removal of susceptible cultivars “Hawkeye” and “Blackhawk” greatly reduced the impact of this disease.

[4] In soybean, the main factor affecting disease susceptibility is the presence or absence of resistance genes in specific cultivars.

Investigations have identified 13 weed species for soybean stem canker when inoculated directly with ascospores.

More recently, many weed species, such as black nightshade, curly dock, and morning glory, have been confirmed as susceptible hosts, yet few show symptomology of the disease until plant death.

[7] Leaf symptoms include interveinal chlorosis and necrosis during early reproductive stages.

The combination of early growth stage susceptibility to disease and optimal environmental conditions can cause a stem canker epidemic if not treated properly.

[8] In-furrow fungicides applied at planting can reduce infestation to seed during germination, but will not control the disease completely.

Fungicides, such as benzimidazoles, should be sprayed during the early vegetative growth stages to avoid an outbreak.