Rotation Crop Evaluation for Management of the Soybean Cyst Nematode in Minnesota

Abstract

Crop rotation is an effective tactic for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management. In the North Central region of the USA, corn is almost exclusively used as a nonhost rotation crop with soybean. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of crops common to or having potential use in the North Central region as rotation crops for managing SCN. Sixteen potential rotation crops and SCN-resistant and susceptible soybeans were grown along with six fallow controls in three commercial field sites near Waseca, Lamberton, and Morris, MN, in 2001, and SCN-susceptible soybean was grown on all plots in 2002. Nematode populations at planting, midseason, and harvest were measured both years; soybean yield was measured in 2002. There was large variability in SCN populations and soybean yields at the three sites. Nevertheless, significant treatment effects were detected at all sites. While all of the rotation crops lowered SCN populations compared with SCN-susceptible soybean, there were only subtle differences among the individual rotation crops and among different groups of the crops. Leguminous nonhosts or poor hosts were best in reducing SCN population density. Corn, the most common rotation crop in Minnesota, was among the least effective in reducing nematode populations. There was an undetectable yield benefit from SCN management, although differences in yield were observed among the rotation crop treatments-probably due to agronomic factors. The data suggest that a single year of rotation of soybean with any of these crops before planting a susceptible soybean may not be sufficient in managing SCN.

Integrating a complex rotation with no-till improves weed management in organic farming. A review

“…Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is the most prominent disease infecting soybean in the USA (Wrather and Koenning 2006). Miller et al (2006) found that red clover and alfalfa serve as quasi-hosts for this nematode, stimulating eggs to break dormancy. But, nematodes are unable to complete their life cycle and reproduce on these species; thus, these legumes accelerate decline of nematode density in soil.…”

Improving Resilience of Northern Field Crop Systems Using Inter-Seeded Red Clover: A Review

“…Bare soil is frequently exposed to erosion and water runoff over the winter and observations of increased erosion susceptibility as reflected by decreased aggregate stability have been reported in both monoculture maize and maize-soybean rotations [26,42,43]. Depending on residue and nitrogen management, decline in soil organic carbon [44][45][46][47], increase in nitrogen leaching [48,49] and weeds [23], pest, and disease pressures [50] have been documented in cropping systems that include maize and soybean in short rotation. Despite the potential of cover crops to address those problems, their widespread use is currently confined to integration into conservation tillage practices in regions prone to soil erosion.…”

Effect of rotation crops on hatch, viability and development of Heterodera glycines

“…Manoka) and pea (Pisum sativum) allowed some development of H. glycines females on their roots but could work as rotation crops; corn (Zea mays) led to the lowest soil egg populations, and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) were not hosts of H. glycines but detrimentally affected the growth of the subsequent soybean crop. In a field study, Miller et al (2006) evaluated 16 crops commonly produced in Minnesota or having potential as rotation crops for managing H. glycines in the State. In another glasshouse study (Warnke et al, 2006), 46 crops were evaluated in the glasshouse for their effectiveness in reducing H. glycines population density.…”

“…These crops were chosen because they represent different groups of crops in terms of their effectiveness in reducing H. glycines population density based on previous glasshouse and field studies Miller et al, 2006;Warnke et al, 2006). Sunn hemp, red clover and Illinois bundleflower reduced H. glycines population densities compared with fallow in the previous studies, while perennial ryegrass and corn did not.…”