2016
Increasing Awareness of Soybean Cyst Nematode in North Dakota: 2015
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
NematodePest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Samuel Markell, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Ted Helms, North Dakota State University
Guiping Yan, North Dakota State University
+1 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

Soybean cyst nematode is the most significant disease threat to soybean production in the United States, and it continues to spread in North Dakota. Management tools for SCN are available, but early detection (and subsequent management) is key to managing SCN. However, a lack of awareness among soybean growers in North Dakota exists. To educate the soybean growers in North Dakota, the NDSC and NDSU began covering the cost of SCN tests (through pre-paid SCN bags) and a series of field days in 2013. In 2013, approximately 300 growers sampled for SCN using the SCN sample bags; we anticipate the double the amount will be used in 2014. Additionally, approximately 130 people participated...

Unique Keywords:
#nematodes
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

We anticipate that 500-1000 growers will use the SCN sample bags, and given previous results approximately 25-35% will be positive for SCN. It is possible that the map created from these results will detect egg levels in counties not known to have SCN. Attendance at field days was approximately 130 in 2014, and we anticipate similar or greater attendance in 2015.

Final Project Results

Updated December 2, 2016:
Final Progress Report is downloaded in the File (optional) below

View uploaded report Word file

Increasing awareness of Soybean Cyst Nematode in North Dakota: 2015.
PI: Sam Markell, Ph.D.
Co-PI’s Guiping Yan, Ph.D. and Ted Helms, Ph.D.

In 2015, The North Dakota Soybean Council funded an Extension and Research program designed to educate North Dakota soybean growers about the threat posed by Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). The core of the Extension program was a producer-based SCN sampling effort operated by the NDSU Extension Service.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is the most important yield-limiting disease threat to soybean production in the United States. This parasitic worm lives and reproduces on soybean roots, severely stresses plants and spreads by anything that moves soil. In 2003, SCN was first identified in North Dakota and has been quietly spreading through the state.

Growers have tools to manage SCN (such as resistant varieties and good crop rotation strategies) but they are most effective if SCN is identified before the pathogen reaches epidemic levels in the soil. Unfortunately, symptoms of SCN are notoriously absent, making detection by visual inspection of fields difficult. Commonly, spots in a field may take a 15-30% yield loss before any above-ground symptoms appear and when they are visible, they are expressed as non-specific yellowing and stunting of plants. Consequently, soil sampling is the most effective way to detect SCN and it is the only way to determine egg levels in a field once you have it.

To educate North Dakota soybean growers about SCN and to encourage them to soil sample, the NDSC covered the cost of lab-fees of up to 2,000 pre-labeled SCN sample bags. The pre-labeled sample bags were distributed to every NDSU County Extension office, at three SCN-specific field days, other NDSU field days and by cooperators in the private industry. Once the bags were sent into the laboratory, egg counts were determined and the submitter received the results in the mail. Additionally, egg level and geospatial data (all other information was kept anonymous) were used to generate maps of SCN distribution in North Dakota. Some additional data from cooperators were also used in map creation.

By January 1st, 943 SCN sample bags were submitted from nearly everywhere soybeans are grown in the state. Over 25% of the submitted samples were positive, although some of them were ‘low level positives’ (gray boxes) and should be viewed with some caution. However, high egg levels were found in many counties. The highest egg levels recorded in 2015 were in the Southeastern part of the state, where SCN has been present the longest.

This program was designed to directly benefit soybean growers in North Dakota by giving them information about SCN and the encouragement (and opportunity) to sample for it. We thank all of the growers who allowed us to hold field days in their fields and the growers, county agents and cooperators who participated in the sampling program. In additional to the benefit of a free sample you have helped raise awareness in your region every time a positive sample show up on the map. Thank you!

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.