Know Your SCN Numbers

October 28, 2017
ICM News

Soybean farmers have kept the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) “in check” for decades simply by growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties. Unfortunately, prolonged use of varieties with SCN resistance genes from a breeding line called PI 88788 has resulted in SCN populations building up increased reproduction on resistant varieties. Almost all (97%) soybean varieties available to grow in Iowa have SCN resistance genes from PI 88788. This situation has led to dramatic and often unnoticed increases in SCN numbers in fields.


Need to know specifics


Now more than ever, farmers need to know if their fields are infested with SCN and what the numbers are. The higher the number of SCN eggs in the soil, the greater the yield loss - even with resistant soybean varieties


SCN is a consistent soybean yield reducer every year, not “hit or miss” depending on the weather as is the case with many pathogens and pests. The nematode survives very well in the soil, even through a few years of nonhost corn, and SCN will reduce yields every year that soybeans are grown in infested fields, regardless of weather.


Fall is a perfect time to sample for SCN


It is relatively easy to determine SCN numbers in fields. All it takes is collecting a soil sample to be tested for the nematode. And fall is a prime time to collect samples from fields in which soybeans will be grown in 2018.


Sampling guidelines:


  • It is best to use a soil probe, not a spade, to collect soil cores.
  • Collect soil cores to about 8 inches deep.
  • The more soil cores collected from the smaller the area, the more accurate the results will be. Collecting 15 to 20 soil cores from every 20 acres often is recommended.
  • Combine all soil cores in a bucket and mix well before placing the mixed soil into a soil sample bag.
  • Most private soil-testing labs in Iowa can process samples for SCN.
  • SCN samples also can be sent to Iowa State’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, room 327 Bessey Hall, 2200 Osborn Drive, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011.

Example sampling pattern in a field with different management zones. Each “x” represents the location from which a soil core was collected.

Options for managing SCN


Managing SCN should involve coordinated use of multiple tactics. Management options include growing nonhost crops (such as corn), growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties, and using nematode-protectant seed treatments when soybeans are planted. Also, farmers should try to grow SCN-resistant soybean varieties with different sources of resistance and to rotate varieties within a resistance source to slow the development of resistance-busting SCN populations.


More information about SCN


More information about the biology and management of SCN is available at www.soybeancyst.info and www.soybeanresearchinfo.com/diseases/scn.html.

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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 October 28, 2017. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.

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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...