Soybean producers should utilize several sources of information when selecting soybean cyst nematode (SCN)-resistant varieties. The article “What To Consider When Selecting SCN-Resistant Varieties” shares the four characteristics producers should keep in mind when choosing varieties with SCN resistance.

Seed companies provide ratings for SCN resistance and sudden death syndrome (SDS) tolerance. University trials provide information regarding yield performance and SCN population suppression at infested sites. Select varieties based on the information provided by these sources and evaluate their performance under your management and environmental conditions.     

Iowa State University conducts the most comprehensive SCN-resistant variety trials in the U.S. The annual report, ISU Extension publication IPM 52, provides the source of SCN resistance, yield performance and SCN population suppression effects for all the entered varieties. The 2013 report will be available online by the end of December 2013 at www.isuscntrials.info.

The University of Minnesota also conducts annual SCN-resistant variety trials including yield performance and SCN population suppression effects. The Minnesota field crop trials are also available online.

The Michigan Soybean Checkoff has provided funding for several sources of information regarding SCN-resistant varieties in Michigan. The 2013 Michigan Soybean Performance Report provides yield performance data and the SCN resistance ratings for all of the entered varieties.

Typically, the performance trials are not planted on SCN-infested fields. However, in 2013 commercially available soybean varieties were planted at one site containing low SCN population densities. A special MSU SCN resistant variety performance report summarizing the yield performance and population suppression effects of the entered varieties will be published around Jan. 1, 2014.

One of the soybean variety trials conducted by the Thumb Ag Research and Education (TARE) project was planted at an SCN-infested site. The 2013 TARE annual report provides a summary of the yield performance and population effects of the 76 varieties planted at the Tuscola County TARE site.

The information published in the university trials (even Iowa and Minnesota) should be transferable and useful on your farm provided that the maturity groups tested are adapted to your farm and the SCN population type at the trial or trials is similar to the SCN population type in your fields. This is another reason for having your SCN-infested fields HG type tested. 

The time and effort you invest in selecting SCN-resistant varieties will reap both short-term and long-term benefits through higher yields and SCN population reduction.