FUNDED BY THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION CHECKOFF PROGRAM.

LEARN

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COVER CROPS ON SCN POPULATIONS IN FIELD CONDITIONS

Dr. Jason Bond
Professor of Plant Pathology
Southern Illinois University
618-453-4309
jbond@illinois.edu

QUESTIONS THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS

  • How do different cover crops impact soybean cyst nematode (SCN) populations?
  • Could certain cover crops be used to suppress SCN populations?
  • There are numerous types of cover crops that could fit into cropping systems across the diverse Illinois landscape. However, little is known about how the various species and varieties of cover crops influence population densities of SCN.
  • This research project will investigate how SCN responds to different cover crops to provide additional guidance to farmers seeking to manage SCN populations.
  • Farmers who experience heavy or difficult-to-manage SCN populations can incorporate cover crops in their management practices. Researchers also hope to identify which soil microbes are linked to SCN suppression as another management option.

ADDITIONAL RESEACHERS:

  • Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury, Professor, Southern Illinois University
  • John Pike, Agronomist/Consultant, Pike Ag, LLC
  • Terry Wyciskalla, Agronomist/Consultant, Wyciskalla Consulting
  • Dr. Leonardo Rocha, PhD, Southern Illinois University
  • Statewide with emphasis on Southern Illinois