Crops Soybeans New SCN control options are on the horizon BASF unveils Nemasphere, a transgenic trait for SCN control. By Chelsea Dinterman Chelsea Dinterman Chelsea Dinterman grew up in rural Maryland where she was active in 4-H and FFA. She spent a year working for an agricultural newspaper in Southeast Kansas before joining the Successful Farming agronomy team in January 2022. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on June 10, 2024 Close A New control option will soon be available to combat growing soybean cyst nematode resistance. BASF expects Nemasphere, a biotechnology trait for soybean cyst nematode, to hit markets in 2028, pending regulatory approval. Nematodes cost soybean growers an estimated $1.5 billion in yield loss each year. Continued reliance on existing native SCN traits led to growing resistance, making available tools less effective. A transgenic (genetically modified) trait, Nemashpere produces a novel Cry14 protein that is ingested by nematodes and interferes with their nutrient uptake, leading to nematode death. “Nemasphere offers a completely different level of protection and yield potential to soybean farmers, providing them with the solution they have been waiting for from SCN yield loss in an effective, reliable and easy to use trait,” said Scott Kay, BASF vice president of U.S. agricultural solutions, in a news release. Eight years of advanced field testing and more than 200 field trials in the U.S. show Nemasphere can boost yield potential by 8%. Nemasphere is a single-locus trait, allowing breeders to incorporate into a full range of seed varieties. BAST plans to stack Nemasphere with the Enlist E3 herbicide tolerance trait. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit