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SCN resistance becoming a bigger problem

A seed care technology manager for Syngenta says farmers need to consider alternative ways to control soybean cyst nematode (SCN) if the same resistant varieties have been repeatedly grown.

Bruce Battles tells Brownfield the commonly used PI 88788 source of genetic resistance has been around since the 1980’s and certain SCN races have started to adapt.

“If we can find other sources of resistance that are out there to use, that’s extremely important.  (but) It’s difficult to find the availability of those through seed companies.”

Data from the University of Minnesota suggests more than 90 percent of soybean farmers implement that single source of resistance.

Crop rotation is another effective method for controlling SCN, but Battles says there is no silver bullet.

“Even though it’s not there right in front of us, we still have to keep it in mind because it is one of the biggest yield robbers we have.  We’re losing over 120 million bushels a year in survey work that’s been done…roughly five to ten percent type of yield losses.”

He says farmers need to manage one nematode like they would 10,000 because it’s a very prolific pest, and Syngenta offers a nematicide (Clariva) that kills nematodes in the soil and lasts the entire growing season.

Battles spoke to Brownfield at the 2016 Farm Progress Show in central Iowa.