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Article originally posted by Syngenta's Know More, Grow More agronomy blog

Early-season insects:

• Bean leaf beetle: This pest tends to emerge early, often at the beginning of May. According to Kansas State University, the bean leaf beetle is one of the most economically harmful soybean insects in the nation. Most of the damage is caused by foliage- and pod-feeding adults, which can significantly reduce seed quality and yield
• Wireworm: This is another pest that tends to emerge early in the season. According to Purdue University, wireworms have the ability to completely hollow out a soybean seed. They can also cut off small roots or tunnel into the underground portions of young soybean plants.

Early-season diseases:

• Fusarium spp.: This disease is especially harmful to soybeans during the germination period and can weaken plants, making them vulnerable to other pathogens as well. Fusarium species can cause the lateral roots to die and decompose, eventually leading to stunted and discolored leaves.
• Rhizoctonia: This disease is most harmful to young soybean seedlings. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, high Rhizoctonia pressure can reduce soybean stands by more than 50 percent.

Syngenta recommends CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® Beans seed treatment, a combination of separately registered products, to help growers start their season strong by protecting vulnerable plants against yield-robbing early-season insects and diseases. With its proven performance, this fungicide/insecticide seed treatment reduces the risk of soybean stand establishment problems via the Cruiser Vigor Effect and allows soybeans to achieve a consistent yield advantage. This treatment can also help protect growers’ seed investment and avoid the need for costly replanting.