The 2020 season in Montérégie had the driest months of May and June in recent history. This was a performance-enhancing cocktail for soybeans due to the absence of sclerotinia (white mold), which usually steals the yield potential of varieties susceptible to this disease. Given the unusually dry period, the selection of the best-performing variety of 2020 is not a guarantee that this same result will be achieved in 2021. Growing soybeans without a history of performance under Quebec and Eastern Ontario conditions is risky in terms of sclerotinia management.

soya crop with sclerotinia
Photo of susceptible soybeans infected with white mold (sclerotinia).

The number one enemy of soybeans in Quebec is white mold.

In all of North America, Quebec and the nearby regions of Eastern Ontario experience the greatest pressure from sclerotinia. This is due to our climatic conditions, which favour the growth of the fungus. The spores emitted by the fungus will infect susceptible soybean plants that will flower a few days after the summer solstice.

Historically in Quebec, under our normal seasonal conditions, soybeans with the best tolerance to sclerotinia obtain the best yields.

Katonda R2 and Hydra R2 soybeans have been industry leaders for several years in this region, as the stability of their performance over the years makes them the first-choice varieties to ensure profitability in soybean cultivation. Katonda R2 and Hydra R2 have an extremely well-balanced agronomic profile, with the highest tolerance to white mold on the market today.

Luckily, there is still time to update your risk management for this spring. Contact your expert Sollio consultant or Maizex dealer today to discuss your soybean variety selection for the 2021 planting season.

Katonda Soya field
Photo of a Katonda R2 soybean field