Helping farmers win through trait innovation 

Behind every trait development are years of curiosity, perseverance and investment in solving farmers’ toughest challenges. Join us as we follow Dr. Julia Daum’s journey and discover the people and science behind one of BASF's latest innovations. 
 
 
 

Growing up in Iowa, USA, BASF scientist Dr. Julia Daum always knew she wanted to do research that matters. Her career took her across several scientific disciplines before bringing her back to agriculture - and to one of soybean farming’s most persistent challenges: Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN).  
For more than 50 years, growers and researchers have been seeking better ways to combat SCN, the world’s leading yield-reducing pathogen in soybeans. The pest has challenged generations of farmers and scientists alike, with few effective solutions available to protect yield. 
For Julia, this was more than a scientific challenge - it was a chance to make a real difference for farmers.

Breaking new ground in nematode control

Growers have been battling this persistent threat with limited options for decades” she says, “I remember thinking, if we could come up with a novel solution, it would be a game-changer for the farmer.”

Hidden beneath the soil, SCN attacks plant roots, reducing the crop’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Soybean fields may appear healthy while over 20% of their yield potential could be lost before farmers even know there is a problem. After nearly two decades of research and development, Daum and her team uncovered a long-sought solution with the discovery of the novel Cry14 protein - the scientific foundation of Nemasphere™. 

The Cry14 proteins are part of a natural group of proteins that farmers have used for years to help protect crops from pests. Many farmers know these proteins from biotech traits in crops like corn and cotton that control insect pests.

Turning innovation into global impact 

BASF’s Nemasphere™ is the industry’s first and only biotech trait specifically for nematode control. Designed to complement soybeans’ existing genetics, it introduces a new layer of protection against one of the crop’s most damaging pests. Across more than  250 field trials in North America, it delivered an average yield advantage of around eight percent. 
But the challenge extends beyond SCN and beyond the United States. “Nematodes are also a major challenge in Latin America,” says Michael McCarville, Trait Technology Lead at BASF. In addition to its activity against SCN, the Cry14 protein has demonstrated activity against root lesion nematodes - an increasingly important pest in Brazil, one of the world’s largest soybean-producing regions.

Winning beyond a single trait 

For McCarville, success has never been only about introducing another trait. It has always been about strengthening the broader toolbox available to farmers and helping them stay ahead. “We’re working to solve challenges before they become problems for farmers,” he says. 
The choice of seed is no longer simply about genetics. Farmers increasingly rely on integrated solutions that combine high-performance germplasm, biotechnology traits and complementary crop protection technologies to deliver the best possible outcomes from seed to harvest. 
Nemasphere was developed with that philosophy in mind and combines the transgenic Cry14 protein with native SCN resistance traits. This innovation along with proven nematicide seed treatments, allows BASF to bring complementary technologies together to help protect yield potential throughout the growing season. 
The same approach extends across the company’s strong innovation pipeline. It continues to invest in high-value traits that work alongside their broader seed and crop protection portfolio. 

Looking ahead for farmers 

This novel trait reflects decades of scientific investment, collaboration, and persistence, translated into a practical solution. It also reflects BASF’s long-term commitment to supporting farmers around the world and helping them stay ahead of evolving challenges, season after season.  
As Nemasphere advances through the regulatory process, moving one step closer to farmers, Daum is already looking ahead, working on the next generation of traits. Her journey serves as a reminder of the value of thinking outside the box and being willing to pivot as new information emerges. “Farmers’ needs will continue to evolve”, she says “and our science must evolve with them, delivering solutions for today and tomorrow.”