Gage County
1115 West Scott St.
Beatrice NE 68310
Phone: (402) 223-1384
FAX: (402) 223-1370

News Column

Paul C Hay, Extension Educator

Soybean Cyst Nematode

During the 2004 Private Applicator Training programs we conducted across Southeast Nebraska, we included a session on Soybean Cyst Nematode. This is currently the most serious pest of soybeans in the United States. We taught farmers how to test fields using both soil test and physical sampling techniques. Testing is important because up to 30% yield losses can occur without obvious symptoms in the fields

Recent University of Nebraska trials conducted on positive fields in the northern Missouri and Platte river bottoms have shown yield losses up to 35% without visible symptoms and losses to 50% with symptoms apparent in the field. It points out the importance of farmers testing their fields and selecting varieties and rotation plans according to the presence or absence of the cyst nematode.

Of particular concern was the fact the farmers on the Missouri and Nemaha bottoms were not aware of presence or absence of soybean cyst nematodes in their fields. With the help of Monsanto and Pioneer, I sampled 50 fields at random along the Missouri and Nemaha bottoms from Rulo to Peru. There were 33 samples taken in river bottom fields. Over 70%, 24 of these samples were positive. It becomes clear that farmers should be including the cyst nematode as a key factor in the selection of varieties and in the rotation plans they have. Most farmers in the area use a corn soybean rotation. This helps to keep populations of the nematode in check, but does not rule out damages. Farmers in this area should be selecting resistant soybean varieties and even rotating the genetic resistant mechanisms of the varieties. Start now in alerting your seed supplier for 2005 that Soybean Cyst Nematode is a reality on your operation.

Upland sites were less prone to have nematode infestations even when the same farmer was farming both the bottoms and the upland fields. Only 3 of 14 upland sites above these river valleys had positive test of cyst nematode.

On the Blue River postive tests have been found in the Blue Springs and DeWitt area. Four samples taken between Beatrice and Hoag were negative. It is here, but does not appear to be widespread as yet. Periodic farmer testing should continue to monitor the situation.

A University of Nebraska Variety Test for cyst nematode has been planted on the Steve and Jerry Kennedy farm one mile east of Nemaha, NE. A field day is planned for Tuesday, August 17, at 1:00 pm. All interested persons are welcome.

The University of Nebraska Soybean Management Field Day will be held on the Steve Kean farm, from the intersection of Hwy 75 and 62, west of Stella, go 2 miles east and 1/4 mile south. The Field Day is set to begin at 9:00 am on Wednesday, August 11th. This site was found positive for cyst nematode and one of the presentations will include information on cyst nematode management.

Persons interested in results on all the fields tested can contact my office and request a copy, which are listed by township and section of the fields sampled.

View other Gage County News Columns & News Letters: http://gage.unl.edu/news/news.htm

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Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.
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