New nematode-resistant trait nearer to launch

SEYMOUR, Ill. — A full commercial launch of a new nematode-resistant trait for soybeans remains on track for 2028, pending any unforeseen hurdles.

BASF’s Nemasphere trait will be stacked with Enlist E3 technology, providing four modes-of-action options for weed control along with soybean cyst nematode protection.

Nematodes are the leading cause of soybean yield loss in the United States, costing farmers an estimated $1.5 billion in yield annually nationwide.

For over 60 years, genetic protection against SCN has hinged on using the native traits of Peking and PI 88788. Over the decades, SCN developed resistance to those native traits.

To combat this problem, Nemasphere produces a novel Cry14 protein that is ingested by nematodes, interfering with nutrient uptake and leading to the nematodes’ death.

“The trait itself is a totally different mode of action. The native traits, in short, basically they wall off a feeding site inside of the root of the soybeans. So, the SCN essentially become starved and then they die,” Justin Moritz, BASF trait technology specialist, said at the company’s recent Showcase Plot Tour.

“The Cry protein from Nemasphere works more in the midsection of the nematode, the intestine of the nematode. It would create a leaky gut and then it creates sepsis and the nematode ends up dying.

“We’ve used Cry proteins in other crops — corn, cotton — very effectively, and many of them have been game changers for those crops, as well. That’s what we’re excited about here, also.

“The commercial product that will be purchased by growers will always have both a native trait, either PI 88788 or Peking, plus Nemasphere. It will always have both and the reasoning behind that is we worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to be able to create our risk mitigation. The two of those together will be able to create a very long-term, durable solution versus one or the other.”

BASF is the first company to develop a transgenic, or genetically modified, trait to control SCN. To ensure the long-term durability of the Nemasphere trait and nematode control in general, BASF has been working closely with researchers and regulatory authorities to develop a multi-faceted stewardship plan.

Weed Control

The Enlist 3 technology adds a fourth mode of action in the battle against weeds.

“With Enlist today, we can spray 2,4-D choline, we can spray glufosinate or Liberty, and glyphosate — Roundup. With the Enlist 3 Nemasphere stack, we can bring HPPDs into soybeans, and we’ll be able to specifically spray mesotrione applied pre- as a part of this system,” Moritz said.

“We’ve been using HPPDs in corn for years and with great success, but now with Nemasphere we’ll be able to bring that same herbicide mode of action into soybeans, and we’re going to give growers and retailers in the industry the opportunity to have flexibility where it matters, flexibility where it counts.

“These are choices. If they’re using HPPDs in their corn system today, and it works very well, they can continue to use HPPDs in their corn system at max rates so they can get the benefit of what that means in their corn system, and they don’t have to worry about anything that may adversely go from one season to the next into their soybean crop.

“If they’re interested in using this herbicide mode of action as a part of their soybean system moving forward, they have that choice and they have that flexibility to add now this mode of action to their pre-residual application pre-emergence.

“I think that’s where the value is with HPPDs in our soybeans because we already know what’s going on post- in corn with HPPDs. We’re seeing some misses, but let’s use it where the value can bring to the system on the pre- side.”

Untapped Yield Potential

SCN is referred to as the unseen yield-robber.

“You can have 30% damage in your soybean field and have no above-ground symptomology with SCN. We don’t see it because it’s below the soil,” Moritz said.

“It’s the No. 1 yield-robbing pest in soybeans, but it also interacts with the next four or five disease pathogens. Sudden death syndrome is one we hear a lot of people talk about.

“SCN and SDS are very tightly correlated, and the more SCN that you have, the higher the severity or the visual symptomology that you’ll see when you have SDS.”

Moritz said Nemasphere will unlock untapped yield potential for soybeans.

“Because we’re changing SCN control, we’re changing this weed control and we’re eliminating some of these problems, we now can really realize the full genetic potential of some of these varieties in a different way across all of the acres on the farm. That’s the benefit for the growers to be able to see that full potential of this germplasm that they’re purchasing,” he said.

Looking Ahead

BASF anticipates full regulatory approval for growers to be to plant in the 2028 growing season.

“We should have all regulatory approvals if everything stays on time maybe by the end of this year, beginning of next year, and then we’ll be ramping up production and then we’ll be in a position where it’ll be a full launch for the 2028 season,” Moritz said.

“If growers and retailers are still interested in learning more about SCN, BASF has a fantastic partnership with the SCN Coalition. I would recommend that they continue to look at information and the SCN Coalition website. It’s very good. They have a huge amount of information about SCN and you can really learn a lot from the website.

“I would also recommend that if you’re interested in what you think the impact is on your farm, you can use the SCN Coalition’s Profit Checker calculator to understand what that impact means on your farm and in your fields.”