As soybean harvest approaches, farmers have a chance to uncover a hidden yield thief: nematodes lurking beneath the soil. The Soy Checkoff says fall, right after harvest, is an ideal time to collect soil samples and test for soybean cyst nematode and other parasitic nematodes that can reduce yields without obvious above-ground symptoms. The checkoff helped fund new Soybean Nematode Management Guides developed by university plant pathologists and nematologists. The guides cover soybean cyst, root-knot, root lesion, and reniform nematodes, with tools to identify infestations and develop management plans. Soybean cyst nematode is considered the leading soybean pathogen in North America and can cause yield losses of up to 30 percent. “Protecting soybean yield starts with knowing what's in your fields,” says Michigan farmer United Soybean Board Director Laurie Isley. “This is exactly the kind of practical, science-based tool your checkoff investment is meant to deliver.”
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