An Ohio State Extension soybean pathologist says fall is an ideal time to identify soybean cyst nematode pressure in fields.
Horacio Lopez-Nicora says farmers should prioritize soil sampling.
“Sampling in fall will tell us what we should expect in the spring,” he says. “Planting corn after soybeans will reduce the impact of soybean cyst nematode in that field.”
He tells Brownfield farmers should utilize the SCN Profit Checker Calculator, available through the SCN Coalition, to monitor the economic impacts of the disease.
“On average, there’s a 30 percent yield reduction,” he says. “This calculator will spit out a potential yield reduction with that amount of nematode present for that particular season.”
Lopez-Nicora says if farmers suspect disease, they should send a sample into a local diagnostic laboratory. Free soil sampling is available for Ohio growers through the Ohio Soybean Council. For more information, contact a local OSU Extension Educator.
The SCN Coalition recently celebrated National Nematode Day on October 6th.
