b"It took nearly 10 more years for me to discover the novel Cry14 protein that would form the basis of Nemasphere, Daum says, recalling the many challenges they faced. The Cry14 protein, a single-locus trait, disrupts nutrient uptake in nematodes, ultimately killing them and protecting the soybean plant. Daum presented her findings to McCarville in 2016, spark-ing a new chapter in the development process. When I met Julia back in 2016, I had already been working on SCN for almost a decade, he says. I had worked eight years at this and made absolutely no dents.Crafting a Comprehensive IPM SolutionWith Nemasphere, BASF asserts they are not just offering another trait; but introducing the first and only biotechnology trait specifically for SCN control. Today, traits are really the best way to manage nematode problems, McCarville explains. Yet, relying solely on native traits isnt enough. BASF's approach combines transgenic Cry14Above: Closeup view of the soybean cyst nematodes effect on the protein with native SCN resistance traits, creating a dual defenseplants root system. designed to protect against yield loss while maintaining yield potential. Below: Julia Daum (left) and Michael McCarville walk through a McCarville underscores that this innovation stands to reshapefield of soybeans with the Nemasphere trait.PHOTOS: BASFthe industry. This provides a roadmap for how you can do that, he says. In fact, BASF has already con-ducted more than 200 field trials across North America. The results show an average yield enhance-ment of 8%, which could grow as SCN resistance to native traits con-tinues to increase. Not only did we have some-thing that was going to address yield, but we have something thats going to reduce risk for [farmers], he adds, reflecting on a successful trial in Iowa back in 2017.DECEMBER 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /11"