A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
Early spring means early soybean cyst nematode symptoms
by Albert Tenuta, crop plant pathologist, OMAFRA, Ridgetown
The early start and relatively dry conditions over most of southwestern Ontario has made for a quick start to SCN development. Over the past two weeks, the pearl white to yellow female “cysts” can be easily found on young soybean plants. Nematode feeding damages the root system thus preventing or inhibiting the uptake of water and nutrients. In many cases, SCN symptoms may not be obvious in a field until populations build significantly and may go unnoticed for many yields. For this reason it is important to examine roots for SCN cysts.
What should you be looking for?
Below-ground: SCN symptoms include dwarfed, stunted and discolored roots (due to root rot pathogens such as Rhizoctonia/Fusarium) with fewer nitrogen-fixing nodules. However, the most obvious sign of SCN infection is the presence of the adult female “cysts” on the roots – white to yellow-brown cysts less than 1 mm in diameter, equivalent to the size of the period at the end of this sentence.
Above-ground: SCN symptoms include in many cases no yellowing of the leaves, stunting of plants and early maturity, particularly on lighter soils under dry conditions or stressed areas in the field. Damage often occurs in circles and is often confused or misdiagnosed as nutrient deficiency, flooding, herbicide injury, compaction, drought or root rot damage. Yellowing of the leaf margins can resemble potassium deficiency symptoms. However, the addition of potassium will not reduce the damage from SCN or eliminate symptoms. Nematode injury symptoms (including plant death) are most obvious under stressed growing conditions, especially hot, dry environments. Under good growing conditions, the visual damage from soybean cyst nematode may go unnoticed. In contrast, under high-stress conditions, even low SCN numbers cause considerable visual damage and high yield loss. SCN infection symptoms may not be obvious and yield reductions of 25%-30% on susceptible fields can occur without visual (above-ground) symptoms.
Areas of the field where above-ground SCN symptoms will most often occur include entrance points for equipment into the field, equipment and vehicle storage areas, tops of knolls, compacted headlands and along the fencerow where wind-blown soil tends to accumulate.
Note: Never pull up a plant to check for SCN since too much root will be lost, and the nematodes will be stripped off. Instead, use a shovel and dig up the plant along with the soil surrounding the roots.
If you suspect SCN call your local OMAFRA office or Albert Tenuta at albert.tenuta@ontario.ca. SCN soil tests can be sent to the following labs: Contact these labs for current prices and nematode handling and shipping procedures:
– Pest Diagnostic Clinic, Laboratory Services Division, University of Guelph, 95 Stone Road West, Guelph N1H 8J7 – Tel 519-767-6256 / Fax 519-767-6240;
– SGS – Agri-Food Laboratories, 503 Imperial Road, Unit #1, Guelph N1H 6T9 – Tel 519-837-1600 or 1-800-265-7175 / Fax 519-837-1242; or
– A&L Canada Laboratories Inc., 2136 Jetstream Rd., London N5V 3P5 – Tel 519-457-2575 / Fax 519-457-2664.
Soil Testing
The OMAFRA accredited soil testing program provides Ontario’s farmers with assurance that participating labs are providing accurate analytical results. Analytical methods were chosen to provide accurate results on the range of Ontario soils. These analyses support nitrogen, phosphate, potash and magnesium fertilizer recommendations, along with the amount and type of lime to apply. This provides the basis for responsible management of nutrients, so that fertilizers and manure applications are both agronomic and environmentally sound. For OMAFRA Accredited Soil Laboratory contact information, refer to: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/resource/soillabs.htm.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR IDEAS ON LOCAL FOOD
Ontario is looking to encourage more families to ask for, and buy locally grown food.
Whether you grow, make, serve, sell or eat Ontario food, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs want to hear your ideas on how Ontario can encourage more people to ask for and enjoy more locally grown food.
Share your ideas by July 31 at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/localfood.htm.
COMING EVENTS
July 13 – A New Cost Share Program is available for owners of a Commercial Greenhouse, Landscape Nursery or Vegetable Farm. If interested, participants that have completed a Third Edition EFP, call John Benham at 519-846-3394.
Aug. 1 – National Farmers Union Waterloo-Wellington Local, monthly board meeting, 7:15pm at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma (They meet every first Wednesday of the month).
Aug. 7 – Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly Board meeting, at OMAFRA Boardroom, Elora at 7:30pm. For information, contact Lisa Hern 519-848-3774 or email jplh@golden.net.
Aug. 20 & 27 – Growing Your Farm Profits two-day workshop at Everdale Farms, 5812 6th Line, Erin from 9:30am to 3pm. Sign up electronically at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or phone Liz at 519-638-3268.
Aug. 21 & 24 – Open Farm Days for the whole family at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy. 6 North from 3:30- 6:30 p.m. Visit: http://ignatiusguelph.ca for details.
Aug. 22 & 23 – Hasting County Plowing Match and Farm Show, Donnandale Farms, 10620 Hwy 62 N., Centre Hastings. Check the website: http://www.hastingsfarmshow.com.
