Soybean Cyst Nematode: The Hidden Yield Robber

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a hidden yield robber in soybeans and can have significant yield impacts of up to 30% before foliar symptoms are even observed in the field. SCN results in yield losses of over 108 million bushels per year, which is more than White Mold, Sudden Death Syndrome, and White Mold combined. Not only is SCN itself a yield robber by interfering with water and nutrient uptake, but it also exacerbates other diseases like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Sudden Death Syndrome. SCN has also been found to decrease soybean nodulation.

Is Soybean Cyst Nematode Stealing Your Yield?

SCN can multiply very quickly, so it is important to begin management when they are detected, even if the numbers seem low. Management begins before seeds are even planted. Read more below!

📸: BASF employee/Featuring SCN cysts on soybean roots identified by a BASF agronomist. The small, white spots circled in red are SCN cysts. Cysts encase hundreds of SCN eggs, enabling them to survive for 10+ years even without a host present.

First: Sample for the Pest

SCN testing is best performed when soybeans are not actively growing in the field. To test for SCN, use a soil probe to take several samples 6–8” deep across the area you are sampling. Collect the soil cores from areas of similar soil types and mix the cores from each area thoroughly. Place 2 cups in a zippered plastic bag and store in a cool, dark place (like the fridge) until shipped for analysis. 

Second: Select a Variety with Resistance and Utilize a Seed Treatment

Plant a SCN-resistant soybean variety. Currently, there are two major sources of SCN resistance: PI88788 and Peking. Resistant varieties should be used in combination with other management practices, like ILEVO® seed treatment. ILEVO seed treatment is effective against both nematodes and Sudden Death Syndrome.

Third: Utilize Crop Rotation and Weed Management

If SCN is detected, follow a crop rotation to help reduce the population. Rotate soybeans with non-host crops like corn, small grains, and alfalfa. Under average conditions, SCN may decline by 50% during the initial rotation years under a non-host crop. If SCN populations are high, rotate to a non-host crop for 2–3 years. SCN can also reproduce on weeds, like henbit and purple deadnettle, so controlling these also helps manage SCN.

Symptoms to Look Out for During the Growing Season

Foliar SCN symptoms are commonly not observed until SCN populations are extremely high. Yield losses of 15–30% can occur without any obvious above-ground symptoms. Aboveground symptoms on severely infested fields can show up as leaf yellowing, stunted plants, and early maturity. Usually, these symptoms appear in circular patches in fields.

📸: BASF employee/Featuring foliar SCN symptoms impacting a soybean field. SCN symptons can include leaf yellowing, stunted plants, and early plant maturity.

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