2022
Monitoring for Soybean Cyst Nematode: Getting Ahead of the Pest
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Contributor/Checkoff:
New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
NematodePest
Parent Project:
Monitoring for Soybean Cyst Nematode: Getting Ahead of the Pest
Lead Principal Investigator:
Erik Smith , Cornell Cooperative Extension
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
SYBN 22 010
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association
$7,775
Institution Funded:
Cornell Cooperative Extension
$7,775
Brief Project Summary:

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is now found in several counties across New York. This pest is responsible for severely reducing soybean yields, resulting in lower profitability for soybean growers. Erik Smith at Cornell University has been conducting research to monitor the extent of the infestation in New York through soil sampling and analysis. This information has been shared with soybean growers across New York so they can begin implementing integrated pest management options for SCN, such as growing resistant soybean varieties, utilizing seed treatments, cleaning equipment between fields and crop rotation.

Key Benefactors:
Soybean producers, soil scientists, agronomists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

Updated April 29, 2023:
In 2022, soil samples from 66 soybean fields were tested for the presence of soybean cyst nematode, and 15 fields tested positive (23%). We added Erie and Herkimer counties to the map of counties with known SCN populations, and while the population levels of most positive samples were considered to be "low" (<500 eggs per cup of soil), 2 fields in Montgomery county, one field in Herkimer county, and one field in Otsego county fell under the category of "moderate" (500 - 10,000 eggs/cup of soil).
Growers with infested fields were provided with an information sheet providing some context for their SCN number and management options based on their level of infestation. An article promoting this project was published in September 2022 via the Cornell Field Crops blog "What's Cropping Up?", and results were presented to hundreds of growers at regional Crop Congresses around the state, both in-person and online.

View uploaded report PDF file

View uploaded report 2 PDF file

In 2022, soil samples from 66 soybean fields were tested for the presence of soybean cyst nematode, and 15 fields tested positive (23%). We added Erie and Herkimer counties to the map of counties with known SCN populations, and while the population levels of most positive samples were considered to be "low" (<500 eggs per cup of soil), 2 fields in Montgomery county, one field in Herkimer county, and one field in Otsego county fell under the category of "moderate" (500 - 10,000 eggs/cup of soil).
Growers with infested fields were provided with an information sheet providing some context for their SCN number and management options based on their level of infestation. An article promoting this project was published in September 2022 via the Cornell Field Crops blog "What's Cropping Up?", and results were presented to hundreds of growers at regional Crop Congresses around the state, both in-person and online.
This information adds to our understanding of the SCN population in the state. We are finding new infestations every year, and as we continue to sample fields through crop rotations, it allows us to monitor fields with stable or increasing populations over time. More counties are progressing from "low" -level infestations into the "moderate" category, so it will be essential to continue to monitor our statewide infestation to provide growers with the most appropriate and effective management strategies for their unique situations.
In 2023, we will use this information to target fields with moderate and high populations for more in-depth studies into SCN susceptibility to resistant soybean varieties (funded by USDA). Without this ongoing screening project, we would not have the foundational information necessary to target these infestations for more advanced research, and growers would not have the information necessary to manage their infestations efficiently and economically.

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.