Penn State Extension announced on Apr. 21 that it is offering free plant parasitic nematode testing for soybean growers in Pennsylvania, supported by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.
The program aims to help farmers detect and manage soybean cyst nematode (SCN), which is considered the most damaging soybean pathogen in the United States and Canada. SCN can cause yield losses of up to 50 percent and may go unnoticed for years, making proactive soil testing important even when crops appear healthy.
In Pennsylvania, SCN has been confirmed in at least one field across 12 counties. The nematode survives in soil for many years without a host and spreads over long distances through movement of contaminated soil or roots. Scouting—by digging out roots six weeks after planting to look for small white lemon-shaped females—and soil testing are recommended methods to determine if SCN is present.
Soil samples should be collected from a depth of six to eight inches using a zig-zag pattern, with at least twenty cores per area of twenty acres or less. Samples should target high-risk areas such as field entryways, flood-prone zones, low-yielding spots near buildings, and high-pH locations. After mixing cores thoroughly, at least two pints of soil should be placed in a sealable bag and kept cool until submission. Samples must be labeled with grower information and marked “for SCN testing” before being sent to Dr. Dilooshi Weerasooriya at University Park.
According to the official website, Penn State Extension supports community well-being by addressing problems and fostering innovation for individuals and businesses while delivering science-based education on agriculture, food safety, and resource management. The organization extends its services statewide through local offices and digital tools; it collaborates with government agencies as well as industry partners; it provides workshops, online courses, consultations on farming topics like pest control; and focuses educational programming on agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
Growers seeking more information about sampling or the free testing program are encouraged to contact Adriana Murillo-Williams by email or phone or reach out to their local Penn State Agronomy Extension Educator.
