Soybean Cyst Nematode Varieties Pay Big Dividends!

In this time of turmoil on the fininacial markets one thing which can provide you with consistent returns and a positive return on your investment is the use of soybean resistant varieites. Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is the most yield limiting disease of soybean in Ontario and the northern United States. Unfortunately many soybean growers continue to lose yield to the disease and although effective and practical management tools are available many growers still are not properly managing SCN or are unaware of the problem. It is for these reasons SCN is often referred to as the "silent yield robber".

OMAFRA, AAFC (Harrow) along with funding from the Ontario Soybean Growers is participating in a multi-year project with colleagues from the North Central United States whose primary objective is reduce losses and improve soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management in Ontario and the North Central US states. As part of this project on-farm plots in Ontario and 12 northern US states were established in 2008 and again in 2009. This portion of the project has focused on large scale demonstrations on SCN management through the use of resistant varieties and the various SCN resistance genes. In the 2008 Ontario plots, the SCN resistant varieties out yielded the susceptible varieties by 48.9% in Field 1 (Chatham\Kent) and 45.1% in Field 2 (Essex County). These results emphasize the importance and effectiveness SCN resistant varieties have when used under even low SCN pressure.

The information generated from this international cooperative project is being merged with the US data. OMAFRA, AAFC and Ontario Soybean Growers involvement in this unique opportunity is in partnership with the North Central Soybean Research Program Project (funding through US soybean check-off) and the Ontario Research and Development Program (ORD) which is administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC). The aim is to minimize and educate not only soybean producers but the soybean industry and advisors about this very destructive soybean disease. Participation allows access to research, resources, communication materials, etc which would otherwise be cost prohibitive if done alone. By coordinating efforts this will help deliver a consistent message on SCN and it's management.

Figure 1. SCN Demo Field 1 - Chatham/Kent 2008

Figure 2. SCN Demo Field 2 - Essex County 2008