The #1 profit-reducing pest for U.S. soybean farmers is soybean cyst nematode (SCN). In years with adequate to excess rainfall, the short-term effect of SCN on soybean yields may only be a loss in a few bushels per acre. In hot, dry years, yield loss can be 50% or more.
At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we know that SCN resistance is a primary concern for our customers. We’ve dedicated a lot of time, effort and resources toward developing SCN-resistant varieties. We have one of the industry’s largest lineups of cyst-resistant soybean brands. In fact, Latham Seeds was one of the first companies to breed its own lines of CystX.
SCN was first discovered in Iowa in the heart of Latham’s marketing territory in a field in Winnebago County in 1978. The surrounding counties (Kossuth, Humboldt, Webster, Wright, Hancock) have shown to be “hot spots” for SCN development over the years. Typically, the fields in these counties have soils that are classified as Clarion-Nicolet Webster. The cause is still unknown. However, the theory over the years is that because these soils are also prone to Iron Deficiency Chlorosis, they’re more susceptible to SCN.
Due to the microscopic size of soybean cyst nematodes, they’e easily spread. SCN has now been found in every county in Iowa and Illinois, the southern half of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the eastern half of Nebraska, southeastern part of South Dakota, western half of Ohio, northern half of Missouri and parts of most of the soybean-producing states throughout the South. It’s spread by wind and water erosion, farm equipment and all types of animals.
There have been a number of instances where fields in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota have been infected with SCN because of the migrating waterfowl. These birds start up north before winter from SCN-infested fields and bring mud on their feet and feathers. That small amount of mud can be loaded with SCN eggs and those eggs can then be deposited in fields as the birds continue their migration south.
As SCN populations have increased, so have the number of cyst-resistant soybean brands. Contact your Latham representative for Latham’s complete lineup of SCN-resistant soybean varieties. To help Iowa soybean growers know their options for SCN resistance, ISU Extension annually publishes a list of SCN-resistant soybean varieties in maturity groups, 0,1,2, and 3. Click here for the 2010 version.
(Source: Wallaces Farmer and Mark Grundmeier, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Product Manager)