Posted: October 19, 2020
Soybean Diseases Cause Billions in Losses.
- $95.48 billion: The estimated economic loss due to soybean diseases from 1996 to 2016 in the U.S.
- $80.89 billion: The impact in the northern states
- $14.59 billion: The impact in the southern states
- $4.55 billion: Average annual economic loss
Economic losses due to soybean diseases in the United States from 1996 to 2016 amounted to more than $95 billion, according to Paul Esker, assistant professor of epidemiology and crop pathology whose research group examined the long-term impact of soybean diseases on production in the United States. The findings are significant because the United States is the world's primary soybean producer and second-largest exporter. Accurate crop loss assessment is an important tool in developing management strategies to ensure farmer profitability, preserve global food security, and establish research priorities, Esker pointed out.
--Amy Duke
Latest Issue
Features
Building the Hive
Entomologist Christina Grozinger broadens her research directions and collaborations after discovering the paramount importance of climate change on pollinator health.
Waste Not, Want Not
Food waste affects more than Americans' wallets; it also has implications for their health and the environment.
Solving the Puzzle
Scientists in the college are researching "climate-smart" practices to help position farmers for success in a changing climate.
