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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146769
Title: RESISTANCE IN SOYBEAN TO SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE, HETERODERA GLYCINES

Author
item Noel, Gregory

Submitted to: Nematology
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2003
Publication Date: 1/15/2004
Citation: Noel, G.R. 2003. Resistance in soybean to soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines. Proceedings. Nematology Monographs Perspective. 2:1-9.

Interpretive Summary: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is an important pest of soybean that occurs throughout soybean production areas in the U.S. Planting of resistant cultivars is an important tool in controlling the nematode. The 40 year history of development of resistant cultivars and their present day use are detailed in this paper. The U.S. has been and continues to be the leader in development of resistant varieties. Public programs such as the ARS programs at Jackson, TN and Urbana, IL have been at the forefront of the development of varieties resistant to SCN. This history is documented and shows the value returned on investment of research dollars to control important agricultural pests.

Technical Abstract: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, was found in the U.S.A. in 1954, and breeding programs for resistance soon were initiated. The source of resistance in the first resistant cultivars was Peking, which was obtained in China. Subsequent sources of resistance incorporated into in commercial cultivars include Plant Introduction (PI) 88.788, PI90.763, PI209.332, all of which also originated in China. The high level of genetic variability within and among populations of SCN has proved problematic to soybean breeders and to farmers. In 1992 germplasm was released that incorporated resistance from PI437.654, which is highly resistant to most populations of SCN. Classical breeding techniques were used exclusively until the late 1990's when marker assisted selection using PI437.654 resistance was developed and is now being utilized in several breeding programs. Genes, rhg1 - rhg3, and Rhg3 - Rhg5, have been reported to be involved in expressing resistance in soybean to SCN. Some genes are linked and multiple alleles may be involved in expressing resistance. Monoculture of resistance has not proven durable, but gene deployment may offer long-term sustainable control of SCN.