A new tool to manage soybean cyst nematodes has emerged but it needs to be used responsibly. It’s the Peking trait being bred into more and more of our soybean seed varieties. Yet there’s a cautionary tale involved, to not become too reliant of Peking. Just like herbicide resistant weeds have adapted and now some herbicides are no longer as effective as they once were or are no longer effective at all. Soybean cyst nematodes have done the same thing by adapting and building resistance to the longtime traits bred into soybean varieties to help protect our crops.
It’s very important to properly utilize those tools in the toolbox says Bill Backhaus, Midwest Agronomist with BASF.
“As we do hear a lot about Peking as a tool, I want to make sure we talk about it. Is to not overuse it. You know, we do a lot of trait development as well within BASF and we’ve been working with the Peking trait for quite a while and we put it out at our Indiana Research farm out there where we actually broke that trait within three years. We did Peking on Peking on Peking and we broke that trait and developed resistance to it within three years where it took PI 88788 a lot longer time. So my point is, you know use it in rotation. Use it wisely. Use it as a tool and don’t abuse that trait.”
He adds they are excited about their new varieties, with the Peking genetics.
“We’ve also got several Peking varieties that we’ve launched as well. And we’re excited to see what they can do in these SCN environments. So if you look at the Xitavo 2963, really a strong 2.9 doing a great job for us across the Midwest and our new Xitavo 3224, a new Peking as well, pretty impressed with what that one is bringing to the table.”
Just another element to consider when selecting varieties for 2024.
