Green stem in soybean is a syndrome that makes the primary and the secondary stems of soybean remain green even after the seed physiological maturity. Leaf retention is the maintenance of green leaves for a longer period after seed maturation. Its occurrence in soybean crops has been attributed to the use of some fungicides to control the leaf diseases complex in soybean, especially soybean rust and late season diseases. However, several factors may contribute to the occurrence of this disorder in plants. The main factors are: potassium deficiency, nutritional imbalance, water stress (excess or lack), high temperature stress, attack by insects, especially stinkbugs, sensitive cultivars, anthracnose occurrence and application of some fungicides. Due to the scarcity of information on this subject, any physiological disorder is commonly attributed to fungicide application. Adequate crop management including balanced nutrition, integrated control of pests and diseases, and attention to water, thermal and photoperiod requirements of the plant are important factors to prevent or minimize the emergence of this syndrome. Studies focused on the interaction among these factors and the cultivars and the use of fungicides are needed to provide further information on this subject.
fungicides; nutrition; mad soybean; pests; varieties