5 Tips for Protecting Your Soybean Yield from Nematodes

Looking over a field won’t tell a farmer much about whether the field holds nematodes. That’s why it’s important for farmers to dig deeper for these yield robbing pests.

Fields that contain nematodes can be difficult to identify because these pests cause little visible damage to the above-ground plant, according to MSU Extension. But that does not mean they won’t cause soybean yield losses. In 2015, soybean cyst nematode (SCN), southern root-knot nematode, and reniform nematode caused yield losses of approximately 15 million bushels to Mid-South soybean fields.

Farmers have several ways to manage and potentially prevent nematodes, including: 

  1. Take soil samples. Soil sampling is the best tool for detecting nematodes. Proper identification requires a laboratory analysis of the soil to determine the specific nematode, species and population numbers present. 
  2. Plant resistant varieties. Different nematode-resistant soybean varieties come with different levels of resistance. Before purchasing a resistant variety, make sure the variety you choose has a sufficient level of resistance to the specific nematode population in your field. Keep in mind that commercial resistance to the reniform nematode is not yet available, therefore alternative management methods may be necessary.
  3. Rotate to non-host crops. By planting crops that are not nematode hosts, such as corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum, you can prevent nematodes from reproducing, hopefully resulting in a nematode-free field when you rotate back to soybean. However, be mindful that corn is not an effective rotation for the southern root-knot nematode. 
  4. Maintain plant health. If your soybeans are experiencing stress due to drought, nutrient deficiencies, weed infestation, insects or other diseases, this can intensify the damage from nematodes. Maintaining good soil fertility will also help enhance plant growth and minimize yield losses associated with nematodes.
  5. Control weeds. Keep weeds out of your fields because they too can be nematode hosts.