By Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Soybean Disease Specialist; edited by Mark Badertscher-OSU Extension, Hardin County
HARDIN COUNTY– The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most economically important pathogen of soybean in North America and continues to spread throughout Ohio. If SCN levels are above damage threshold, significant yield reduction can often take place without visible symptoms. To know if the nematode is present in a field, soil sample for SCN testing must be properly collected. The presence of SCN in a field, but most importantly, the SCN numbers will determine the best management strategy. Therefore, you need to test your fields to know your SCN numbers.
