Each year SIU manages the largest SDS commercial and regional (public germplasm) in the country. Over 1,400 cultivars are tested annually across 6 locations in Illinois. The best trials come from fields with a history of SDS and that are irrigated.
Commercial cultivars that are available to Illinois producers are tested for free, because the Illinois Soybean Association supports the testing of these cultivars. There is a fee for testing experimental lines.
Good SDS trials generally occur in fields planted prior to May 15, therefore your seed is needed early in the year. Cathy Schmidt (wheee@siu.edu) manages the SDS trials, and she is the contact person for the trials.
Dates to remember:
February 20 - Number of lines to be tested must be made known to Cathy
March 20 - SIU must receive seed by this date to guarantee inclusion into the trial.
April 1 - Seed received after March 20 may be included, however anything that comes in after April 1 is guaranteed to not be planted.
1.5 lbs of each entry needs to be sent by the deadline to
Cathy Schmidt
3268 West Pleasant Hill Rd
Carbondale, IL 62903
We can also evaluate germplasm in greenhouse watherbaths any time of the year. However, greenhouse protocols are not a replacement for field trials. All published greenhouse protocols fall short on identifying resistant germplasm. The waterbath system can be used to identify the most susceptible lines. Please contact Cathy if your are intrested in waterbath trials.