Fall Is In The Air And Nematodes Are In Your Soil!
DR. HEATHER MARIE KELLY
JACKSON, TENNESSEE
Taking soil samples this fall? Why not send them for nematode screening? Take the test and beat the pest! Read on to learn how to take and submit soil samples – this fall get FREE screening of Soybean Cyst, Reniform, Root Knot, and Lesion nematodes and potentially SCN HG Type/Race testing (a >$150 value for free).
Nematodes are microscopic round worms that are considered silent yield robbers – in many instances there are not any above ground symptoms alerting you to their presence, while your yields begin to drop. Growers are invited to take advantage of soil testing for Soybean Cyst, Reniform, Root Knot, and Lesion nematodes, which is FREE for all Tennessee farmers ($15 fee for out-of-state samples). Additionally, if possible a HG Type/Race test will also be conducted for SCN. To fully process the sample please provide ~1 quart (8 cups of soil=20 soil cores) minimum as a representative sample from your field. You can submit multiple field samples. The Sample Collection Form, which also includes soil sampling instructions, is available online (UTcrops.com –> Soybean –> Diseases & Nematodes –> under Publications: Nematode Sampling Guide and Submission Form.pdf). The form should be filled appropriately, and samples collected per instructions and mailed as directed in the form. After samples are received and processed, our lab will communicate nematode results via email.
Soil sampling is simple, but care needs to be taken in order to get a comprehensive sample across all acreage and to target nematodes. Guidelines for sampling include:
- Best to sample in the fall, after harvest but before first freeze.
- Choose a time when soil is moist so that it is easily removed with a soil probe and angle probe 45 degrees off of row to sample around root zone.
- Collect ≥ 20 cores, 1-inch diameter and 6-8 inches deep, depending on size of field ~1 core per acre. Need at least a quart of soil for a sample.
- Sample a field in one of three ways: a zigzag pattern, targeting management zones, or targeting high-risk areas.
- Place sample in a quart or gallon zip-lock bag, keep it cool in a cooler or fridge, and send it to our testing lab the same day or ASAP for analysis
- Fill out form found and send it in with sample (form also has sampling instructions as outlined above).
For more information contact your local county agent or Heather Kelly, Plant Pathologist (UT), by email (youngkelly@utk.edu) or phone (731-425-4713). ∆
DR. HEATHER MARIE KELLY
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE