Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most yield limiting disease of soybean in Ontario and the northern United States. SCN was first detected in Ontario near Chatham (Dover Center) in 1988 and since then SCN resistant varieties in conjunction with crop rotation with non-host crops and scouting has been the cornerstone of SCN management. Unfortunately many soybean growers continue to lose yield to the disease and although effective and practical management tools are available many growers still are not properly managing SCN or are unaware of the problem. It is for these reasons SCN is often referred to as the "silent yield robber". Losses to SCN in Ontario have been estimated at 10-30 million dollars per year.
OMAFRA, AAFC (Harrow) along with funding from the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) through Growing Forward "Farm Innovation Program" is participating in a multi-year project with colleagues from the North Central United States whose primary objective is to reduce losses and improve SCN management and education through extension efforts aimed at soybean producers, the soybean industry and advisors about this very destructive soybean disease.. As part of this 3 year international project, on-farm large scale SCN management demonstration plots in Ontario and 12 northern US states were established each year using resistant varieties with various SCN resistance genes. These represent the most commonly used sources of resistance to SCN in the northern soybean production areas (PI 88788, PI 548402 (Peking) and Hartwig).
Participation allows access to research, resources, communication materials, etc which would otherwise be cost prohibitive if done alone. By coordinating efforts this will help deliver a consistent message on SCN and its management across the northern soybean production areas of North America.