The presence of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) has been confirmed in Manitoba.

SCN is a microscopic roundworm that parasitizes soybean roots.

The confirmation was made by Dr. Mario Tenuta and his laboratory at the University of Manitoba which have been surveying fields in the province since 2012.

SCN was identified by visual and molecular DNA methods in four out of 106 fields and four out of 18 municipalities sampled across all surveys.

Rural municipalities where SCN has been detected are Norfolk-Treherne, Rhineland, Emerson-Franklin and Montcalm. There is a possibility that SCN is present in other fields.

Cyst populations found in these four fields are extremely low. Once established, SCN can remain in the soil for many years.

SCN can be avoided by preventing the spread of soil from one field to another. Populations of SCN can be minimized by rotating to non-host crops, growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties, growing cover crops, reducing tillage and controlling host weed species.

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