Turning Knowledge into Action: Nematode Management That Delivers
Nematodes remain a hidden but costly threat to South Carolina soybean production. This project focused on equipping growers and advisors with the knowledge and diagnostic testing needed to identify, manage, and reduce yield losses.
Plant-parasitic nematodes continue to be one of the most significant constraints in South Carolina soybean production. Recent survey data indicate that approximately 33% of corn, cotton, and soybean fields experience yield losses of 10% or greater due to nematode pressure, representing a substantial but frequently hidden economic loss.
Unlike many above-ground pests, nematode damage is difficult to diagnose without proper sampling and laboratory analysis. Symptoms are often subtle or mistaken for nutrient deficiencies, drought stress, or other agronomic issues. As a result, many growers are managing fields without a clear understanding of nematode populations, species composition, or risk level.
This project integrates statewide sampling and diagnostics with hands-on education and training for growers, consultants, and Extension agents.
As a result of this project, Clemson extension delivered:
Free soil and root sampling using automated field samplers, allowing agents to efficiently collect samples from 30–40 fields per day
Laboratory analysis through the Edisto Research and Education Center (EREC) Nematode Lab Identification of nematodes to the species level with a rapid turnaround time (typically ≤10 days)
Field-specific management recommendations based on results.
The lab is one of the few in the U.S. capable of performing both soil and root analyses with species identification, and notably provides these services at no cost to growers.
In addition, researchers hosted in-depth workshops and developed comprehensive Extension bulletins, covering nematode biology, identification, sampling methods, and crop-specific management (corn, soybean, cotton, peanut, and sorghum).
With 526 soil samples and 69 root samples, the project has significantly expanded both the scale of nematode diagnostics and the capacity for on-the-ground management.
From an economic standpoint, the program provides substantial savings:
At least $20 per sample saved in lab processing costs
Elimination of typical $10+ per field sampling fees through agent-assisted sampling
Future efforts will focus on scaling both sampling coverage and long-term management adoption. Ultimately, the goal is to shift nematode management from a reactive approach to a proactive, data-driven component of soybean production systems.
This information is from the 2025 research project, Diagnosing and Surveying for Nematode Problems in Soybean-Based Row Crop Farms and Corn Nematode Management Workshop for Growers, County Agents, and Consultants; Diagnosing and Surveying for Nematodes in South Carolina Corn-Based Farms. The lead was University of Clemson researcher Dr. John Mueller. Project sponsored by the South Carolina Soybean and Corn Boards.
