Is Henbit an Indicator of the Presence of Soybean Cyst Nematode?
Henbit is a documented host of soybean cyst nematode; the role it plays in maintaining soybean cyst nematode in a field has recently been questioned. This winter annual weed is very conspicuous when in bloom during the early spring and has reportedly been spreading. There have been some observations that the presence of henbit increased the chance of finding soybean cyst nematode. Missouri regional agronomists were asked to submit soil samples from fields where henbit was present as well as nearby fields where it was absent this spring. A total of 24 soil samples were submitted from five counties. There was no clear relationship between the presence of henbit and the presence of soybean cyst nematode. In 21% of the samples, the egg level was higher in henbit fields than in fields without henbit. Several fields had no soybean cyst nematode in either henbit field samples or field samples where henbit was absent. Further greenhouse research will be needed to determine how good a host henb
