2021
Soybean cyst nematode management using selected cover crops and cover crop blend with PI 437654 (SCN resistant wild type soybean), along with compost and manures
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
NematodePest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Marisol Quintanilla, Michigan State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
For fields that have soybean cyst nematodes in the soil, farmers have two weapons available to fight back — planting SCN-resistant soybeans and using management practices. This project is exploring management strategies including cover crops, using soybeans as a trap crop and a combination of the two. The project will also study composts of different manures and their ability to help reduce SCN numbers in the soil. The composts will be used on both corn and soybean crops to determine if an SCN reduction was carried through to the soybean year.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agribusiness, #agronomists, #extension specialists, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#compost, #cover crops, #farm management systems, #manure, #nematodes, #scn, #soybean cyst nematode management, #soybean cyst nematodes
Information And Results
Project Summary

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the number one yield robbing pest in soybean production. The overuse of the single source of resistance has led to SCN populations continuing to increase in some locations. Few options are available for SCN management, like rotation of SCN resistant soybean varieties. Additional control strategies are required to supplement existing control strategies. In this project we are planning to start a cover crop evaluation project for SCN management and repeat our compost project.

Project Objectives

In recent years, cover crop usage has increased in the US. Proper selection of cover crops not only helps to manage the plant-parasitic nematodes but also improves soil health for sustainability. Along with the cover crops we are planning to evaluate SCN resistant wildtype soybean PI 437654 which will stimulate the hatching of SCN eggs before soybean season and starved them to death. Cover crops can be fitted into a wheat-soybean-corn cropping system by planting after wheat or interseeding with corn during V3-V6 stage of corn. Below is the list of the treatments we are planning to evaluate:
1. Red clover ‘Kenland’ + SCN trap soybean
2. Cereal rye ‘Wheller’ + SCN trap soybean
3. Oilseed radish ‘Defender’ + SCN trap soybean
4. Mustard ‘Concerta’+ SCN trap soybean
5. Fallow (non-treated control)
6. SCN trap soybean only
7. Red clover ‘Kenland’
8. Cereal rye ‘Wheller’
9.Oilseed radish ‘Defender’
10. Mustard ‘Concerta’

The experiment will be designed in Randomized Complete Block Design with 6 replications to further evaluate alternatives to nematode control we will establish a two-year trial testing a various composts and manures in a corn-soybean rotation. In year one, field corn will be planted in a complete randomized block design with 5 replications. Treatments will include an untreated control, hog manure, poultry manure and LAB compost. The composts will be applied prior to planting. In year two, each plot will be split and planted with either a susceptible variety or SCN resistant variety. This will allow us to determine the effect of compost applied with corn on the second year of soybeans and determine if a reduction of SCN is carried through to the soybean year.

Project Deliverables

Soil samples for both cover crop and compost trials will be collected 4 times during the season: pre-application, two weeks after planting, mid-season (late July) and harvest. Yield data will also be obtained. Further investigations of the effects of these products on SCN will be completed via lab trials to determine effects on J2 survivorship and egg hatching.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

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.