Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the number one yield-robbing pest in soybeans in the United States, affecting over 200,000 growers and costing them an estimated $1.5 billion in yield annually.¹
Despite its huge impact on soybean production, soybean cyst nematode is often regarded as a silent killer. Above-ground symptoms are virtually nonexistent, leaving growers blissfully (and perilously) unaware that their crop is being eaten alive by nematodes lurking under the soil surface.
If you’re unsure of the presence of SCN in your fields but suspect it is there, early scouting and detection are critical to managing this yield-robber.
Best methods for soybean cyst nematode identification
- Soil testing is the most reliable way to determine the presence of SCN in your field. An SCN soil test will provide the number of eggs or cysts in the soil which will help you determine the best SCN management strategy.
- Visually inspecting roots is another fairly reliable method for early scouting of SCN. However, SCN can easily be mistaken for healthy root nodes, so make sure you know what you’re looking for.
Early symptoms of soybean cyst nematode in soybean roots
Plants infected with SCN often look healthy, making SCN nearly impossible to detect above the soil surface. However, the roots of infected plants tell a different story.
If you suspect SCN in your field, you should begin scouting roots four to six weeks after planting. Take samples from the field by digging up plants with a shovel or spade. Dig at least 8" deep, taking care to not pull the plants up roughly, which may leave behind the smaller, younger roots where SCN females are typically found.²
SCN adult females, which are white and lemon-shaped, can be seen with the naked eye on the roots of infected soybeans, though they are very small — about the size of a period at the end of a printed sentence. They, and the egg-filled cysts they develop into, can often be confused with the lighter nitrogen-fixing nodules that are present on healthy soybean roots. However, nodules are much larger than a soybean cyst.
What to do if you find SCN
Like a good birthday cake, the more layers the better when it comes to managing soybean cyst nematode. No single method is effective at stopping the yield-reducing effects of SCN, so using multiple layers of protection is always recommended.
Protect your soybean crop from the get-go with ILEVO® seed treatment. You can order your seed to come treated with ILEVO which will protect soybeans from both SCN and sudden death syndrome.
Additionally, BASF has announced their groundbreaking Nemasphere™ nematode resistance trait, anticipated to be available in 2028.
Providing long-anticipated relief for soybean growers, Nemasphere™ provides soybean cyst nematode resistance without compromising yield potential.
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Endnotes
- Kay, Scott. The New Standard for Nematode Management, 22 May 2024, BASF Agricultural Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC. Presentation.
- Tylka, Greg. “Dig into Scouting for SCN.” Integrated Crop Management, 12 June 2023, crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2023/06/dig-scouting-scn. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
