Influence of Soil Fertility on Soybean Cyst Nematode Iin Ohio.

Ohio is a top producer of soybean in the United States. In order to keep up with increasing agricultural needs yields must rise with their demand.  This means not succumbing to yield limiting pests and pathogens. Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines ) is a long withstanding, yield limiting pathogen of soybean. Management practices that could help reduce the impact of SCN will benefit to the soybean industry greatly. The relationship between SCN abundance and soil fertility is unclear. The objective of this study is to determine if soil phosphorus and potassium have an effect on SCN levels and determine if soil pH and texture contribute to increased populations of SCN. From 2013-2015, approximately 200 fields were sampled in Ohio. Soil phosphorus, potassium, pH, and texture were evaluated. Multivariate statistics will be completed to determine the effect of soil fertility characteristics on SCN abundance. Suitable phosphorous amounts are associated with increased root growth while potassium also effects root form. The availability of these minerals can be determined by the soil pH as increasing pH leads to a decline in absorption. SCN feed on soybean roots. If an established relationship is determined it may effect current management recommendations in fields with high populations of SCN. Being a soil dwelling nematode specific textures may have an ability to hinder the movement of SCN to the root hairs which is another advantage to keeping its population low.