2021
Nematode Quantification in Ohio Soybean Fields
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Christine Sprunger, The Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
21-R-11
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Less well known are nematodes that are beneficial for overall plant and soil health. Nematodes that feed on bacteria, fungi and other nematodes are instrumental drivers of nitrogen use efficiency and soil carbon dynamics. Quantifying the ratio between parasitic and beneficial nematodes could serve as a useful new soil health indicator. However, it is unclear how beneficial nematode populations influence soybean yields. This research aims to quantify nematode communities in several OSU soybean experimental trials. It seeks to identify which types of beneficial nematodes lead to improved soil health and greater yields. It also assesses if certain management practices such as reduced tillage or enhanced crop diversity lead to suppressing soybean cyst nematodes while increasing beneficial nematodes.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension agents, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#beneficials, #nematodes, #soybean diseases
Information And Results
Project Summary

Soybean cyst nematodes are known to be devastating to soybean production and can result in significant yield loss. Less well known are nematodes that are beneficial for overall plant and soil health. For instance, nematodes that feed on bacteria, fungi, and other nematodes are instrumental drivers of nitrogen use efficiency and soil carbon dynamics. Quantifying the ratio between parasitic and beneficial nematodes could serve as a useful new soil health indicator for Ohio farmers. However, it is unclear how beneficial nematode populations influence soybean yields. I propose to quantify nematode communities during the 2021 growing season in several OSU soybean experimental trials. I will seek to identify which types of beneficial nematodes lead to improved soil health and greater yields. I will also assess if certain management practices such as reduced tillage or enhanced crop diversity lead to suppressing soybean cyst nematodes while increasing beneficial nematodes.

Project Objectives

Drive Innovation

Project Deliverables

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.