Environmental conditions at time of maturity influence shattering. Shattering is considered as soybean varieties are evaluated in the testing programs in Nebraska. Early maturing varieties tend to be more prone to shattering than later-maturing varieties. Data from Kansas trials indicate shattering is markedly different from year to year. Disease Resistance Losses due to disease in soybeans are not a serious problem in Nebraska.
Many diseases are seed-borne, so it is important to recognize certain of the seed diseases.
Selection of seed for planting that is free of these diseases is important in reducing loss of production due to these diseases. Seed diseases include purple seed stain, caused by the fungus Cercospora kikuchii . The infected seed has purple to brown discoloration and the seed coat may be roughened and cracked. This disease usually will not affect seed quality for processing, but use of seed for planting with purple stain is not recommended. Treatment of seed with a fungicide before planting may reduce early seed-borne infection.