We talk extensively about Soybean Cyst Nematodes, and there is a good reason. They are a fast-moving pest located in all 99 counties in Iowa. Iowa is one of only two states in the U.S. with populations in every county. The other is Illinois. So, what else can we learn about these pests to help us better understand them?
Dr. Greg Tylka is a Professor and Nematologist at Iowa State University. He talks with us about the physiology of nematodes. First, you need to understand that they are worms, not bugs. When scouting, we are looking for the swollen females that pop out of the roots.
What makes it tough to fight against their resistance is that Nematodes are not monogamous. The female can have eggs that are fathered by multiple males, thus making it a genetic jigsaw puzzle when you are trying to defeat them.
Nematodes aren’t trying to kill your soybeans. They need the plant to survive so they can survive. But they have a small needle-like structure that helps them alter the plants at the cellular level. Dr. Tylka explains more.
The great mystery in the war against the nematode is what they are injecting into the plant. Tylka says if we can figure it out, we will have discovered the Holy Grail. He says progress is being made, but there is just no definitive timeline yet.
You can learn more about what is being done in the fight against SCN at the SCN Coalition website.
