The Need

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) remains a major and persistent challenge for soybean growers. While resistant soybean varieties, crop rotation, seed treatments, and other practices are widely used, growers need additional options as SCN populations adapt and pressure remains high in many production regions.

The Solution

This technology is aimed at bringing a new, non-chemical SCN-management capability to the planting process. The system uses UV-C light directed into the seed furrow during planting to treat soil in the immediate root-zone area before the seed is placed. By applying the light only where the crop is being established, the approach is intended to provide a targeted planting-time treatment without introducing an additional chemical input.

Advantages

• Non-chemical, localized SCN-management approach
• Potential to complement resistant varieties, crop rotation, and seed treatments
• Differentiated physical treatment strategy for addressing resistance-management challenges
• Potential for integration with commercial planting equipment and precision-agriculture platforms
• Supports demand for targeted crop-protection solutions with reduced reliance on additional chemical inputs

Commercial Opportunity

The platform could create value by giving agricultural companies a differentiated way to address an established grower need: managing SCN while maintaining practical, efficient planting operations. Its potential to integrate with existing planting workflows may support adoption without requiring growers to fundamentally change their production systems.

Partners are sought to evaluate commercial fit, refine the product concept, validate performance in field conditions, assess equipment integration and user requirements, and develop a path toward market introduction.

Patent: Provisional

Inventors: Alexander Lindsey, Christopher Ball, Horacio Lopez Nicora