Tillage considerations for disease management

In the 2005 growing season, we observed different soybean diseases, and no single soybean disease became a major problem for yield losses. Most diseases were prevalent with a low level of infestation. In corn, the single most significant disease was corn ear rot caused by Aspergillus flavus, a fungus producing alfatoxin. Often, tillage would be considered as a major management option to reduce the disease risk for the next crop. Because of the lack of precipitation this summer in some areas, especially eastern Iowa, use of tillage may not be a good practice in terms of preserving soil moisture