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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #189686
Title: Potential for Soybean Cyst Nematode Reproduction on Winter Weeds and Cover Crops in Tennessee.

Author
item Donald, Patricia
item HAYES, ROBERT - UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
item Walker, Eric

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2006
Publication Date: 2/26/2007
Citation: Donald, P.A., Hayes, R., Walker, E.R. 2007. Potential for Soybean Cyst Nematode Reproduction on Winter Weeds and Cover Crops in Tennessee. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2007-0226-01-RS

Interpretive Summary: Soybean cyst nematode, a soil dwelling plant parasite, can lead to grain yield loss in soybean production fields and is the major cause of yield loss throughout most of the USA soybean production area. Recent changes in soybean crop production, such as the early soybean production system (planting early maturing soybean varieties in April) and no tillage of soil when soybean is planted, have resulted in more winter annual weeds and a longer time when no crop is present in fields. These changes in soybean production practices require an evaluation of soybean cyst nematode reproduction on weeds and cover crops during the time from soybean harvest until a new crop is planted the next year (noncrop period). Our studies found no nematode reproduction on winter annual weeds during the noncrop period or in the crimson clover cover crop, a host for the nematode. This indicates that the winter annual weeds do not need to be removed in the fall. Some cover crops which are hosts for the nematode under warmer soil conditions do not support nematode reproduction during the noncrop period and thus do not negatively impact current nematode management measures.

Technical Abstract: Soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines Ichinohoe (SCN) is a major yield limiting pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production. Current SCN management strategies are employed during the crop production period and rely on resistant soybean varieties and rotation to nonhost crops. However, increased adoption of the early soybean production system combined with the increased presence of winter annual weeds due to no-tillage practices indicate that management of SCN during the noncrop period may be of greater importance when these production practices are used than when more traditional soybean production systems are used. However, in our studies, we found no SCN reproduction in winter annual weeds during the noncrop period or in the cover crop crimson clover.