Soybean leaves were observed to have bright orange bronzing in patches across a field at the R6 (full seed) growth stage. Symptoms were observed in research trial plots that were planted on August 1. The issue was confirmed to be Cercospora leaf blight, which is caused by the pathogen Cercospora kikuchii, the causal agent of purple seed stain. This disease is common in soybeans, but it rarely causes significant yield losses for North Carolina producers. Other symptoms associated with Cercospora leaf blight include yellowing leaf discoloration with a purple or bronze tint, and as the disease progresses, small dark spots along major leaf veins. The bright orange bronzing was observed in this environment due to the pathogen being at a more mature stage.
