Content by Madalyn Shires

Three plants with notable X-Disease symptoms on leaves and fruit.
Jul 20

X-Disease in South Dakota Field Day @ Rapid City

Attend the X-Disease in South Dakota Field Day on Monday, July 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MT at the West River Research and Extension Center (711 N. Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD 57703).

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Bean Leaf Beetles, a Vector of Bean Pod Mottle Virus, May Be Active in Soybean

Although we are predicting low overwintering survival of bean leaf beetles this year in South Dakota, scouting for this pest should still be conducted, as every year we still observe populations in soybean.

Color-coded map of South Dakota showing Fusarium head blight risk throughout the state. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

Tools Available for Fusarium Head Blight Prediction

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), commonly known as scab, is a major disease threat for wheat each year during the flowering growth stage. To support growers in making informed fungicide decisions, forecasting tools are available that use weather data to estimate the likelihood of scab development.

close up of a broccoli leaf with blackrot.

Black Rot of Brassica Crops

Overview and management of Black Rot for Brassica Crops.

Green leafhopper with clear wings.

Aster Leafhoppers Detected in South Dakota Wheat

Aster leafhoppers are present in wheat again this spring. For the last few years, aster leafhoppers have been a common occurrence in South Dakota wheat.

Wheat plants in a field showing viral symptomology of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Confirmed in 2026

At the end of April, a winter wheat sample was submitted to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic displaying typical viral symptoms of chlorosis and streaking. Upon testing, this sample was determined to be positive for Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.

grass leaves with yellow and brown streaking on the tops and edges

Grass Diseases of South Dakota Identification Guide

Common grass disease identification guide.

Horticulture research plot with rows of tarp-covered crops and living mulch between them.

Research Report: Warm-Season Living Mulch Impacts on Cucumber Yield and Disease Symptoms

A 2025 trial in Brookings, South Dakota aimed to detect the influences of various warm-season cover crop living mulches on pest pressure in tomatoes and cucumbers and the interactions between both grafted and nongrafted tomatoes and cucumbers and the living mulch.

External and internal ring rot symptoms on two potato samples.

Bacterial Ring Rot: Yet another devastating disease of potato

Ring rot is primarily a disease of stored tubers and seed potatoes, where it produces black or brown lines just below the surface of the potato.

a person holding a leaf that has yellow, brown and green streaking.

Bacterial Leaf Streak in Wheat Varieties Adapted to South Dakota

Research trial results for Bacterial Leaf Streak tolerance in winter and spring wheat varieties grown in a disease nursery near Volga, South Dakota.