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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #239953

Title: A Standard Greenhouse Method for Assessing Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance in Soybean: SCE08 (Standardized Cyst Evaluation 2008)

Author
item NIBLACK, TERRY - University Of Illinois
item TYLKA, GREGORY - Iowa State University
item Arelli, Prakash
item BOND, JASON - Southern Illinois University
item DIERS, BRIAN - University Of Illinois
item Donald, Patricia
item FAGHIHI, JAMAL - Purdue University
item FERRIS, VIRGINIA - Purdue University
item GALLO, KAREN - Syngenta Seeds, Inc
item HEINZ, ROBERT - University Of Missouri
item LOPEZ, NICORA - University Of Illinois
item VON QUALEN, RALPH - Agricultural Consulting And Testing Services, Inc
item WELACKY, TOM - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item WILCOX, JOHN - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/8/2009
Publication Date: 5/13/2009
Citation: Niblack, T.L., Tylka, G.L., Arelli, P.R., Bond, J.P., Diers, B., Donald, P.A., Faghihi, J., Ferris, V.R., Gallo, K., Heinz, R.D., Lopez, N.H., Von Qualen, R., Welacky, T., Wilcox, J.A. 2009. A Standard Greenhouse Method for Assessing Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance in Soybean: SCE08 (Standardized Cyst Evaluation 2008). Plant Health Progress. doi:10-194/PHP-2009-0513-01-RV

Interpretive Summary: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), a microscopic-size worm invading plant roots, is distributed throughout the soybean production areas of the United States and Canada. SCN remains the most economically important pathogen of soybean in North America; the most recent estimate of soybean yield reduction in North America due to SCN totaled 31,539,690 tons in 2006. Resistant varieties have been the major choice for managing soybean in SCN-infested fields. If fields are not monitored, yield loss can occur even with a resistant variety because SCN populations vary widely in densities (numbers) and virulence (ability to reproduce on resistant cultivars). Both of these SCN characteristics influence soybean yield, and “resistant” on the seed label does not necessarily mean that the variety is resistant to the nematode found in a specific field. Standard testing protocol for determining nematode resistance in soybean is lacking; therefore, a protocol for more uniform labeling of soybean cultivars as resistant to SCN was proposed. The protocol includes use of the following: three different SCN populations; measurement of nematode reproduction on at least three individual plants of each cultivar tested; standard methods and environmental conditions for conducting tests; HG Type indicator lines;(a set of standard soybean lines with differential reaction to nematode populations) and more than one known susceptible cultivar (check). In addition, the number of nematode females on the susceptible check must be 100 or more, and the resistance label for a cultivar is based on relative reproduction of the nematode on the cultivar and the susceptible check. Use of these standards by those responsible for cultivar development should allow for direct comparisons among cultivars by soybean producers and improve soybean production in SCN-infested environments.

Technical Abstract: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is distributed throughout the soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production areas of the United States and Canada. SCN remains the most economically important pathogen of soybean in North America; the most recent estimate of soybean yield reduction in North America due to SCN totaled 34,659,000 metric tons during 2006. Overwhelmingly, resistant soybean cultivars are planted to manage SCN in SCN-infested fields . However, SCN populations are genetically diverse and vary widely in densities and virulence . These diverse nematode populations, over a period of time will overcome the resistance in the soybean and reduce soybean yield.. Thus “resistant” on the seed label does not necessarily mean that the cultivar is actually resistant. This may be due to lack of standard protocol. Standard testing protocol is proposed for more uniform labeling of soybean cultivars resistant to SCN. The protocol includes use of three different SCN populations; at least three single plant replications; standard methods and environmental conditions; HG Type indicator lines; more than one susceptible check. In addition the number of females on the susceptible check must be 100 or more; calculate the Female Index (FI); and label the cultivar according to FI value.