Identifying and managing Cercospora leaf blight in soybean: From scouting to best management practices

Maximizing soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield requires effective management of Cercospora leaf blight (CLB), a significant foliar disease that can reduce productivity and grain quality. The impact of CLB is particularly notable in regions such as the mid‐southern United States, where species of Cercospora , predominantly C . cf. flagellaris , cause substantial yield losses and purple seed stain. This guide details the environmental factors and symptom identification for CLB, providing diagnostic methods crucial for accurate assessment. Various management strategies, including crop rotation, tillage practices, and fungicide applications, are also outlined. In addition, selecting genetically resistant cultivars is highlighted as the most effective and sustainable approach to mitigating the economic impact of CLB and enhancing soybean production. The objectives of this management guide are to describe (a) techniques for identifying and confirming CLB incidence and (b) effective strategies for managing CLB.