Soybean cyst nematode can be a quiet but damaging pest, creating a hidden profit leak for soybean growers. Managing SCN often starts long before the planter enters the field.
For you as a retailer, October is an opportunity to help growers connect SCN soil test results with seed decisions that can protect yield and improve return on investment the following season.
Start with crop rotation and SCN-resistant seed
Before recommending a soybean variety, make sure you first understand each grower’s crop rotation history. Rotating out of soybeans and into non-host crops, such as corn or other alternative crops, can help reduce SCN pressure and slow population increases.¹
But crop rotation is only part of the ROI conversation. You should also help growers rotate sources of soybean cyst nematode resistance when soybeans return to the field. Relying on the same resistance source year after year can increase selection pressure and reduce the long-term value of resistant varieties.
While farmers are often looking for seed varieties with the highest yield potential or the lowest seed cost, the right management decision may be purchasing the seed that best protects yield in areas with SCN resistance or pressure.
Choose the right source of SCN resistance
Most SCN-resistant seed varieties are derived from a single resistance source, PI 88788. Because of its consistent use year after year, many SCN populations have adapted to PI 88788 resistance and can once again reproduce in fields with soybeans derived from this resistance source.
That is why it’s your job to help growers look beyond whether a variety is labeled “SCN resistant” and consider which resistance source fits the field. In fields where SCN populations have adapted to PI 88788, switching to varieties with Peking SCN resistance can help improve nematode management and protect yield potential.²
With hundreds of seed options available, you can help growers balance yield performance, resistance source and field-specific SCN pressure.
BASF’s upcoming Nemasphere trait adds another option for fields where growers need alternatives to previous SCN resistance sources. For high-pressure fields, that additional choice can strengthen the ROI case for selecting seed based on more than upfront cost alone. In fields with persistent SCN pressure, don’t forget to discuss seed treatment options, such as ILevo®, as part of a broader management plan that includes crop rotation, soil testing and SCN-resistant varieties.
Use soil testing to find where premium seed pays
Post-harvest soil testing for SCN can help growers justify the cost of premium seed and turn seed selection from guesswork into a data-driven management decision.
The soil test results can identify “hot spots” where SCN population densities are high enough to justify stronger resistance, alternative resistance sources or additional management tactics. Using good, solid data to make informed decisions will maximize a grower’s ROI and provide a long-term management strategy. ³
That data can also help you explain the ROI of higher-performing SCN-resistant seed. In fields with known SCN pressure, the seed decision should not be based on upfront cost alone. It should account for yield protection, SCN suppression and the long-term value of preventing nematode populations from building up.
An analysis by Iowa State University reinforces this point. The study showed that farmers were willing to pay a premium of “$2.69 per acre for seed of any SCN-resistant varieties, and up to $9.62 per acre for seed of soybean varieties ranked in the top half of ISU SCN-resistant trials for yield and SCN resistance.”⁴
Managing SCN resistance is more than just an agronomic decision. When you can successfully help growers connect soil test results, crop rotation and the right SCN-resistant seed choice, you can turn nematode management into a practical ROI strategy that protects yield today and preserves future productivity.
Experts are available to help you decide which SCN-resistant seeds are best for your growers. Reach out to a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative.
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Endnotes
- Chen, Senyu. “Variety Rotation as a Strategy for Managing Soybean Cyst Nematode.” University of Minnesota Extension, reviewed 2024, extension.umn.edu/regional-research-trials/variety-rotation-strategy-managing-soybean-cyst-nematode.
- Tylka, Greg. “Quick Guide to Soybean Varieties for Iowa with Peking SCN Resistance.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 28 Nov. 2023, crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2023/11/quick-guide-soybean-varieties-iowa-peking-scn-resistance.
- Chen, Senyu, editor, et al. “Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Guide.” University of Minnesota Extension, reviewed 2021, extension.umn.edu/soybean-pest-management/soybean-cyst-nematode-management-guide.
- Temple, Laura. “Soybean Cyst Nematode-Resistant Varieties Deliver Millions in Value.” Soybean Research & Information Network, 18 July 2022, soybeanresearchinfo.com/research-highlight/soybean-cyst-nematode-resistant-varieties-deliver-millions-in-value.
