Addition of Nanofertilizers and Nitrogen Fertilizer in Combination with Fluopyram Helps in SDS Management and Protecting Yield in Soybean

Sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused primarily by Fusarium virguliforme, can result in significant yield losses in soybean in the United States. Fluopyram is a seed treatment used for SDS management; however, its efficacy is not consistent. Little is known about how seed treatments are affected by the application of fertilizers. Field trials were conducted in Iowa from 2021 to 2023 to evaluate a nontreated control (NTC), a base (Allegiance FL + Stamina + Systiva XS Xemium brand + Poncho 600 + Flo Rite 1706 + Color Coat) seed treatment, and a base combined with various nanofertilizers (NanoStress, NanoPhos, NanoK, and NanoN, each at 292 ml/ha [4 fl. oz./acre]) with and without fluopyram (0.15 mg/seed). Combined analysis across 3 years revealed that base + fluopyram + NanoN resulted in a significantly lower foliar disease index (FDX) than the base, whereas base + fluopyram + NanoK and base + fluopyram + NanoPhos resulted in significantly more yield than the NTC. Other field trials were conducted in Iowa and Wisconsin during 2022 and 2023 to compare the effects of base, base combined with NanoStress + NanoN, 168 kg/ha N, fluopyram (0.15 mg/seed), fluopyram + NanoStress + NanoN, and fluopyram + 168 kg/ha N. The results showed significant effects on FDX and yield. Base + fluopyram + 168 kg/ha N significantly reduced FDX and increased yield as compared with the base treatment. These findings suggest that nanofertilizers and nitrogen fertilizers may enhance the performance of fluopyram, but further research is needed to explore how fertility influences host-pathogen interactions. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .