Initial symptoms of stem canker are small reddish-brown lesions on stems near a leaf node. Over time, the lesions expand to form larger, sunken cankers that are brown to black in color. The lesions caused by northern stem canker tend to girdle the stem, causing wilting and death of the plant above the cankered area of the stem. The lesions of southern stem canker rarely girdle the stem, and leaf symptoms of interveinal yellowing or browning of leaf tissue may develop.

Infection by both stem canker pathogens is favored by extended periods of wet weather during early vegetative stages of growth. Management options include selecting resistant varieties and rotating crops with at least one year between soybean crops.