News

Beck’s agronomist says weed control is critical to managing SCN

The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says effective weed management can help control soybean cyst nematode.

Matt Montgomery says more than 100 different types of weeds can host the pest.

“Managing weeds matters, because it can help trim down some of the pressures from soybean cyst nematode,” he says. “Watch out and test those egg counts, because that can really influence the type of management strategy that we might be looking at.”

He says regular crop rotation helps reduce nematode pressure, but certain weeds can limit its efficacy. 

“If you roll in corn, you have the potential to reduce that soybean cyst nematode population down by 50 percent,” he says. “But, if you have a bunch of broadleaf weeds or winter annual weeds, we could negate some of the benefits of having corn in the mix.”

Montgomery says combining a strong weed control method and an SCN resistant soybean variety is the best way to protect profitability.

Montgomery made his comments during a recent Beck’s Hybrids webinar.