BASF and The SCN Coalition Announce Third Annual SCN Action Month
BASF Agricultural Solutions and The SCN Coalition are joining forces for the third consecutive SCN Action Month during October to raise awareness of the dangers that soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) pose. Growers need to test for SCN in order to take action. This monthlong initiative educates growers on why and how to defend against this devastating pest that continues to be the leading cause of soybean yield loss in the United States.
About Soybean Cyst Nematode Damage
SCN is present in most areas where soybeans are grown and continues to rapidly spread each year with an estimated annual yield loss potential of $1.5 billion. Last year during SCN Action Month, SCN was present in 77% of soil samples BASF received, up 4% from the previous year, and damaging levels of nematodes were found in half of the submitted samples received.
“Many growers aren’t aware of SCN or don’t believe it’s damaging their fields, and identifying it can be difficult as the cysts are about 10% the size of a soybean nodule,” said Nick Tinsley, BASF Technical Field Representative, Seed Treatments. “Testing your soil during the fall is key to this educational effort. When growers learn their SCN numbers, they can use that information to make a strong preventive management plan for the following year based on real data from their own field.”
Soybean Cyst Nematode Management
There are four steps growers can take to manage SCN:
- Test fields for nematodes
- Rotate crops
- Plant a resistant variety
- Consider a seed treatment.
“SCN populations build through the growing season, which makes after harvest the ideal time to test soil for SCN,” says University of Nebraska Plant Pathologist Dylan Mangel. “Once you receive your soil test result, use the Coalition’s new SCN Profit Checker tool to get a yield- and profit-loss estimate. This tool puts in dollars and cents what SCN is costing farmers on a per-field basis.”
Mangel encourages farmers to consult their trusted crop adviser or agronomist to determine what management tools should be used to protect future soybean yields.
BASF and The SCN Coalition encourage growers to get out in their fields during October and test for nematodes to help manage their soybean fields against SCN in the future. To access more SCN management resources, visit SCNActionMonth.com and www.thescncoalition.com.
Find a SCN testing lab in your state.
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About The SCN Coalition
The SCN Coalition is a public/checkoff/private partnership formed to increase the number of farmers who are actively managing SCN. Our goal is to increase soybean farmers’ profit potential and realize higher yields. Partners in The SCN Coalition include university scientists from 28 states and Ontario, grower checkoff organizations, including the North Central Soybean Research Program, United Soybean Board and several state soybean promotion boards, and corporate partners including BASF, Bayer, Growmark, Nufarm, Pioneer (Corteva), Syngenta, UPL Ltd., Valent and Winfield United.
©2023. The SCN Coalition. All Rights Reserved. www.TheSCNCoalition.com.
