Gerrit Nel
Frankfort / Villiers073 246 9416
Gerrit Nel
Frankfort / Villiers
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Offering a profitable combination of yield potential and exceptional agronomic characteristics, Pannar’s cultivars demonstrate stability over different yield potentials, production areas and seasons. We provide a full range of maturity classes covering almost all planting dates and densities.
Farming for the future means building your farming operation on a long-term vision and objectives that will keep you in business for generations. The versatile Pannar® brand soybean package has unparalleled stability at different yield potential levels and over different production regions. It is a proven and safe choice.
A good rotation programme in your cropping system is one of the practices that will sustain your farming business for the future. Soybeans offer many advantages as a rotation crop, particularly in combination with maize in the medium and high-potential areas. Pannar’s soybean package is versatile and should give you the best chance to succeed.
Pannar has access to the very best commercial soybean cultivars, either locally bred or accessed from around the world. Pannar’s policy is to release the best varieties possible into the South African market, regardless of where they originate. You can always be certain that if a cultivar appears in our range, it has already been thoroughly tested by the most comprehensive evaluation programme in the country.
Pannar has managed to contain the cultivar package to eight exceptional products, offering a full range of maturity classes that will cover almost all planting date/production area combinations.
All Pannar cultivars are tested using the rhizobial strain
WB74 nodule-forming bacterial inoculant. All yield data is
generated using this strain, which means that if a farmer
chooses to use a different strain of rhizobium, the yield
information and cultivar recommendations provided may
be irrelevant.
This variety hits the maturity sweet-spot. It is quick enough to fit into the early maturity category, but late enough to produce a decent yield. This versatile cultivar will cater for all your early maturity variety needs, be that for the main planting in the cool production areas, or delayed planting after wheat in the temperate production areas.
| Maturity Group (MG) | Early - 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Relative Number of Days to 50% Flowering* | 57 |
| Relative Number of Days to Harvest Maturity* | 126 |
| Standability | 8 |
|---|---|
| Shattering Resistance | 8 |
| Growth Type | Indeterminate |
| Pubescence | Light Tawny |
| Flower Colour | Purple |
| Hilum | Brown |
| Early Planting (‘000) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Late Planting Date or Narrow Row Widths (‘000) | 450 |
PAN 1588R is a medium maturity cultivar that fits in well with PAN 1521R and PAN 1555R. It is indeterminate with a high yield potential and produces similar results to PAN 1521R. It demonstrates good stability at different yield potential levels, production areas and over different seasons. PAN 1588R can be planted with peace of mind and performs well in dry, hot years. It is an excellent choice for all soybean production areas.
| Maturity Group (MG) | Medium - 5.9 |
|---|---|
| Relative Number of Days to 50% Flowering* | 64 |
| Relative Number of Days to Harvest Maturity* | 139 |
| Standability | 8 |
|---|---|
| Shattering Resistance | 9 |
| Growth Type | Indeterminate |
| Pubescence | Grey |
| Flower Colour | Purple |
| Hilum | Imperfect Black |
| Early Planting (‘000) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Late Planting Date or Narrow Row Widths (‘000) | 450 |
The yield leader. It is a good choice for all the temperate production areas (including the North West and northern Free State) and for cultivation under irrigation. The cultivar’s strong root system makes it very suitable for the water table soils in the western production areas.
| Maturity Group (MG) | Late - 6.7 |
|---|---|
| Relative Number of Days to 50% Flowering* | 63 |
| Relative Number of Days to Harvest Maturity* | 142 |
| Standability | 7 |
|---|---|
| Shattering Resistance | 8 |
| Growth Type | Indeterminate |
| Pubescence | Grey |
| Flower Colour | Purple |
| Hilum | Imperfect Black |
| Early Planting (‘000) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Late Planting Date or Narrow Row Widths (‘000) | 380 |
If we need to single out a cultivar for preferential planting it is PAN 1521R. Unmatched yield potential and stability (yield probability) over different yield potentials, production areas and seasons. Equally well-suited to cool, temperate and hot regions. This cultivar has a characteristically strong and deeply developed root system, which comes into its own in the water table soils of the western production regions. A winning combination of yield and agronomic characteristics.
| Maturity Group (MG) | Medium - 5.7 |
|---|---|
| Relative Number of Days to 50% Flowering* | 61 |
| Relative Number of Days to Harvest Maturity* | 137 |
| Standability | 9 |
|---|---|
| Shattering Resistance | 9 |
| Growth Type | Indeterminate |
| Pubescence | Grey |
| Flower Colour | Purple |
| Hilum | Imperfect Black |
| Early Planting (‘000) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Late Planting Date or Narrow Row Widths (‘000) | 450 |
A cultivar with high yield potential and good stability across all production areas and seasons. An excellent teammate for PAN 1521R. This variety can withstand sub-optimal conditions better than most, and should be in your cultivar choice particularly where you expect tough soil or climate conditions.
| Maturity Group (MG) | Medium - 5.7 |
|---|---|
| Relative Number of Days to 50% Flowering* | 63 |
| Relative Number of Days to Harvest Maturity* | 138 |
| Standability | 8 |
|---|---|
| Shattering Resistance | 9 |
| Growth Type | Indeterminate |
| Pubescence | Tawny |
| Flower Colour | Purple |
| Hilum | Brown |
| Early Planting (‘000) | 300 |
|---|---|
| Late Planting Date or Narrow Row Widths (‘000) | 450 |
Early symptoms appear as small, pale green to yellow spots on the upper leaf surface and could initially be mistaken for Downy Mildew. As the disease progresses the leaf appearance turns a bronze yellow colour and tan to reddish-brown pustules (uredinia) form predominantly on the underside of leaves. Severe infections cause premature leaf drop, reduced photosynthetic area, poor pod fill, decreased seed quality, and can result in significant yield losses if not controlled.
P. pachyrhizi spreads rapidly via airborne urediniospores. It cannot overwinter in regions with hard frost but persists year-round in warmer, frost-free areas. Soybean rust prefers warm, humid environments with extended leaf wetness periods caused by frequent rain or dew. Ideal temperatures for infection range between 15–28°C, with relative humidity above 75% promoting rapid disease development. Wind can carry spores over hundreds of kilometers, allowing fast regional spread under favorable weather conditions. Preventative fungicide applications is effective in controlling the disease.
Fungus: Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Infections typically begin during flowering, when fallen petals serve as infection sites on stems and leaves. Water-soaked lesions form initially and soon become covered with dense, white, cottony fungal mycelium. As the disease progresses, stems dry out, become brittle, and may collapse, leading to plant wilting and lodging. Black, hard sclerotia may develop inside or on the surface of infected tissue, aiding the pathogen’s long-term survival. Severe infections during flowering and pod fill stages can lead to major yield losses.
S. sclerotiorum produces sclerotia that can persist in soil for over 5–8 years, acting as a survival source. Cool (15–25°C), wet conditions during flowering favor disease outbreaks. Under these conditions sclerotia in the soil germinate and produce small, flesh-coloured structures called apothecia. These produce and release ascospores which infect the plant. High humidity, dense crop canopies, and extended periods of leaf and soil moisture increase infection risk. The pathogen’s broad host range (over 400 plant species) and persistence in the soil makes crop rotation as management tool very difficult. Fields previously planted to other susceptible crops such as sunflowers or beans is a high risk.
Fungus: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Typical foliar symptoms include interveinal chlorosis and necrosis, where veins remain green while surrounding tissue turns yellow and eventually brown. Leaves often drop prematurely, with petioles remaining attached to stems. Below ground, infected plants exhibit stunted root systems, root rot, and discolored vascular tissues.
SDS infections begin early in the season, when the fungus colonizes roots, but symptoms only manifest later during the reproductive growth stages. Cool, wet soil conditions at or shortly after planting favor infection, while symptom expression is enhanced by warm, wet weather mid-season. Soybean fields with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) pressure tend to experience more severe SDS outbreaks, however, SCN have not been found in South Africa.
Fungus: Fusarium virguliforme
Small, circular to irregular brown lesions with concentric rings appear on leaves and stems, often with dark margins. With severe infections, lesions coalesce into larger necrotic areas, leading to premature leaf drop and, occasionally, stem girdling. In rare cases, pods are also affected, resulting in poor seed development and quality loss.
The fungus survives on soybean residue and infected seeds. It is primarily spread via rain splash and wind during moist conditions. Cool to moderate temperatures (20–25°C) combined with prolonged leaf wetness (from dew or rain) favor infection. Fields with poor drainage, high planting densities, and heavy canopy closure are especially prone to outbreaks.
Fungus: Ascochyta glycines
Symptoms typically appear after flowering during periods of drought stress. Plants show premature yellowing, wilting, and eventual death. Lower stems and taproots exhibit a silvery-grey appearance and when stems are cut open fine black microsclerotia are visible, giving a characteristic "charcoal" appearance.
Macrophomina phaseolina is a soilborne pathogen capable of infecting over 500 plant species. It survives in soil and crop residues as microsclerotia for several years. Hot (>30°C), dry conditions greatly favor disease development. Charcoal rot is especially damaging during late reproductive stages when plants are under drought or heat stress, leading to substantial yield reductions.
Fungus: Macrophomina phaseolina
Early symptoms appear as small, yellowish-green spots on the upper leaf surfaces. A fine, grey to purple downy growth is visible on the underside of affected leaves. Severe infections can cause leaf curling, distortion, and reduced plant vigor. The initial pale leaf spots are sometimes mistakenly identified as Soybean Rust.
Although considered a minor disease in most commercial soybean production systems, Downy Mildew can affect seed quality and seedling vigor. The pathogen survives in infected seed and crop debris. Cool (18–24°C), wet conditions with high humidity favor infection and sporulation. It is common early in the growing season and disperses via wind and rain splash.
Oomycete: Peronospora manshurica
Seeds exhibit a purple to dark reddish discoloration on the seed coat. Infected leaves may show foliar symptoms resembling sunscald or leaf blight, and lesions may occur on pods and stems, though seed staining is the most common and visible symptom.
Purple Seed Stain is widespread and affects seed quality by reducing germination rates and marketability. The pathogen persists on infected seed and crop residues. Disease development is favored by warm, humid conditions during late pod fill and seed maturation stages. Delayed harvests, particularly in wet seasons, increase infection severity.
Fungus: Cercospora kikuchii
Symptoms begin as small, reddish to purplish-brown blotches on leaves, often surrounded by a faint yellow halo. Lesions typically appear on lower leaves first and may merge, causing large areas of blight. Infected plants often suffer from premature defoliation and reduced vigor, leading to yield loss.
Although not yet reported in South Africa, Red Leaf Blotch is prevalent in neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is most problematic in tropical regions with warm (25–30°C), humid conditions and frequent rainfall. Continuous soybean cropping, minimal residue management, and lack of crop rotation contribute to disease buildup and severity.
Fungus: Phoma glycinicola
Characteristic circular lesions with light grey to tan centers and dark reddish-purple borders develop on leaves. Over time, older lesions may coalesce, causing extensive leaf blighting. In advanced cases, lesions may also appear on stems and pods, resulting in reduced seed quality and yield.
Frogeye Leaf Spot has not been officially reported in South Africa but is present in nearby countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is one of the most widespread foliar diseases of soybean globally. The disease thrives in warm (24–30°C), humid conditions, especially during reproductive stages. Frequent rainfall, prolonged dew, dense canopies, and poor crop rotation contribute significantly to disease spread. The fungus overwinters in crop residues, allowing carryover from season to season.
Fungus: Cercospora sojina
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