By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Iowa State University has created and maintains a suite of pest-related websites related to Iowa soybean production. The websites are:
- soybeancyst.info
- www.soybeanrust.info
The soybean cyst info website was established by Iowa State University more than 10 years ago as a clearinghouse of practical information about the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The website is one of the most complete sources of information about this serious soybean pathogen, containing information to address commonly asked questions about SCN biology, scouting and management.
Information on soybeancyst.info is organized into several sections:
- "The Basics" — maps of the known distribution of SCN, a diagram and discussion of the SCN life cycle, information on how to scout for SCN and a discussion of various SCN management options
- "SCN Library" — a collection of extension publications and links to other online information about SCN
- "SCN Research Methods" — detailed descriptions of the experimental methods used by ISU scientists to conduct SCN research, with images to illustrate key details
- "Tylka Lab SCN Research" — illustrated, nontechnical descriptions of current SCN research projects in the Tylka nematology laboratory at Iowa State University
- "WhatIzIt? Corner" — a collection of succinct, nontechnical explanations for many of the SCN management products currently available on the market
- "Images" — numerous digital images illustrating the maps of the known distribution of SCN, the various SCN life stages, scouting for the nematode and symptoms of SCN damage in the field
- "Training Materials" — slide sets and accompanying scripts on various aspects of SCN biology and management
New content
The soybean cyst info website received a facelift last year and recently, several new items have been added, including:
- a flash animation to complement the diagram and text description of the SCN life cycle
- videos that illustrate how to scout for SCN during the season and how to collect soil samples to test fields for SCN
- a link to a webcast discussing the implications of the buildup of SCN reproduction on the common, PI 88788 source of SCN resistance
- announcements of the recently updated list of SCN-resistant soybean varieties for Iowa farmers and the new, 2nd edition of the SCN Field Guide (available online here).
All of the information on soybeancyst.info is research based, and a great majority of the research was funded by soybean checkoff funds from the Iowa Soybean Association and the North Central Soybean Research Program.
Greg Tylka is a professor with extension and research responsibilities in management of plant-parasitic nematode in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State University. He can be reached at gltylka@iastate.edu or 515-294-3021.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on November 21, 2012. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
Greg Tylka Morrill Professor
Dr. Greg Tylka is a Morrill Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State University with extension and research responsibilities for management of plant-parasitic nematodes. The focus of Dr. Tylka's research program at Iowa State University is primarily the soybea...