Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) Distribution in North Carolina, U.S.A.
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is an obligate, sedentary, and devastating parasite that is a major pathogen of soybean and accounts for an estimated $1.2 billion in production losses annually in the United States. SCN was first discovered in the United States in New Hanover County, North Carolina, in 1954. This report summarizes lab assay and survey results from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017. In this period, 100,118 grower samples were assayed for nematodes. SCN was detected in 21,922 of the soil samples (21.9%). The overall population level was 110 ± 266 (10 to 14,600) per 500 cm3 of soil. Based on the assay results from grower and survey soil samples, Anson, Catawba, Chatham, Dare, and Lincoln counties were added to the list of SCN-positive counties documented by June 30, 2014, bringing the total to 57. Johnston (3,462 SCN-positive samples), Wayne (3,274), Nash (2,960), Wilson (2,039), and Pasquotank (1,513) had the most SCN-positive samples. Montgomery (831 SCN/500 cm3 of soil on average), Bladen (790), Washington (610), Carteret (607), and Harnett (368) were found to have the highest SCN population levels.