Getting soybeans off to a strong start is one of the most important steps toward maximizing yield. From planting on, seedlings face an uphill battle. Fungi, insects and nematodes are all eager to feast on your seed before it ever breaks the soil surface.
Protecting your seeds with a seed treatment can make all the difference. The right treatment can improve stand establishment, strengthen vigor and reduce pest-related stress, giving your soybeans the best possible chance to thrive.
Here are the most common types of soybean seed treatments.
Types of soybean seed treatments
Fungicide soybean seed treatment
These soybean seed treatments help to protect seeds and seedlings from fungal diseases. Common fungal diseases for soybean seedlings include Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia. A soybean fungicide seed treatment is especially important when planting into cool, wet soil or fields with limited tillage.1
A fungicide seed treatment is especially important if you’ve had problems with fungal diseases in your fields before.
Insecticide soybean seed treatment
An insecticide seed treatment can be beneficial if you have a history of seedcorn maggot, bean leaf beetle or wireworms. These insects feed on germinating seeds or seedlings, which can lead to uneven stands and delayed emergence.
Many insecticide seed treatments are systemic, meaning they move within the plant as it grows, providing extended protection against above- and below-ground pests during those vulnerable early stages.
Nematicide soybean seed treatment
Nematodes, such as the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and root-knot nematodes, can damage roots, restrict water and nutrient uptake, and stunt plant growth. A soybean cyst nematode seed treatment can help suppress these pests right from the start, especially in fields with a known history of nematode problems.
Soybean inoculant seed treatment
Soybeans are known for fixing nitrogen in their root nodules. However, without the symbiotic Bradyrhizobium bacteria, this process is significantly limited. Inoculant seed treatments add beneficial bacteria to boost nitrogen fixation.
Consider using an inoculant if you are planting into a field that has:
- Never grown soybeans or hasn’t been planted in soybeans for 3-5 years
- Poor soil microbial activity
- A soil pH below 6.0
- High sand soil profile
- Flooded for over a week2
Growth stimulant soybean seed treatment
These treatments include plant hormones, enzymes and beneficial microbes that promote root development, increase stress tolerance and enhance early vigor. While not a replacement for pest protection, they also complement traditional fungicide treatments by supporting plant health and resilience.
Soybean seed treatment recommendations
Two of the biggest early-season threats to soybean yield are soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS). Both can quietly reduce plant health and yield potential long before symptoms show up.
Ilevo® is one of the few seed treatments that protects against both threats. It contains a unique active ingredient (fluopyram) that works as a fungicide against Fusarium virguliforme, the pathogen behind SDS, and also suppresses SCN activity in the root zone.
Multiple field trials across the Midwest show that Ilevo can significantly reduce SDS symptoms and increase yield. In fields with moderate to high disease pressure, growers saw yield gains of 4 to 10 bushels per acre. Even in lower-pressure environments, Ilevo often delivered a positive return by reducing stress during critical early growth stages.3
By combining Ilevo with integrated pest management practices, including the use of SCN and SDS-resistant soybeans, you can provide your soybeans with maximum protection and optimal potential for improved yields.4
Experts are available to help you make your soybean seed treatment decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent, or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative.
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Endnotes
- Robertson, Alison, Daren S. Mueller, and Erin Hodgson. “2011 Evaluation of Fungicide and Insecticide Seed Treatments on Soybean in Iowa.” Integrated Crop Management News, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 6 Feb. 2012, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2012/02/2011-evaluation-fungicide-and-insecticide-seed-treatments-soybean-iowa.
- “Seed Inoculation.” Encyclopedia, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/seed-inoculation.
- Anderson, Eric. “Are Soybean Seed Treatments Profitable?” MSU Extension, Michigan State University Extension, 12 Mar. 2020, https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/are-soybean-seed-treatments-profitable
- Kandel, Yuba R., et al. “Seed Treatment and Foliar Fungicide Impact on Sudden Death Syndrome and Soybean Yield.” Crop Protection Network, 6 Dec. 2019, https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/seed-treatment-and-foliar-fungicide-impact-on-sudden-death-syndrome-and-soybean-yield
