Episode 2 of 23: Nematodes in soybean production

In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, we catch up with world renowned nematologist Prof Driekie Fourie and discuss the nematodes that are problematic to soybean production in South Africa. The root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are considered the biggest nematode problem in South Africa, but the lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are very widely distributed across all the soybean production areas in the country. The cyst nematode (Heterodera) is not currently found in the country, but Prof Fourie sounded the warning that it had recently been detected in neighbouring Zambia. Control of nematode numbers in our soils and population dynamics are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that an integrated strategy involving poor host plant species in rotation, resistant cultivars, cultural practices and new era chemical active ingredients are required to build soil health and suppress nematode populations in our soybean production.