Laboratory evaluation of soybean plant introductions for resistance to Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Authors: Hesler, Louis; SCHULTZ, N - South Dakota State University; VAN DE STROET, B - South Dakota State University; Beckendorf, Eric; TILMON, K - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2017
Publication Date: 12/21/2017
Citation: Hesler, L.S., Schultz, N.R., Van De Stroet, B.M., Beckendorf, E.A., Tilmon, K.J. 2017. Laboratory evaluation of soybean plant introductions for resistance to Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 33:135-141.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3954/JAUE17-17.1

Interpretive Summary: The soybean aphid (SA) is a major pest of soybean in the north-central United States and south-central Canada. It is controlled primarily with insecticides, but the development of aphid-resistant soybean cultivars may be a practical alternative management approach. The viability of this approach depends on a diverse set of resistance sources in order to counter various resistance-breaking forms of SA, and the identification of new resistance sources requires additional testing of soybean germplasm. The current study used no-choice tests to vet SA resistance in seven early-maturity soybean plant introduction (PI) lines that had been advanced from screening trials. The tests showed PI 437353 and PI 612759 C had an intermediate level of resistance against avirulent SA, whereas PI 437282, PI 437658, PI 437733, PI 548417, and PI 548530 exhibited no meaningful resistance. Follow-up studies with PI 437353 and PI 612759 C may be useful to determine whether either or both lines might have valuable genes that could be used to further diversify the resistance base against SA. Screening and follow-up tests of additional soybean lines reasonable in order to ensure the development of durable, SA-resistant soybean cultivars.

Technical Abstract: The soybean aphid (SA), Aphis glycines Matsumura, is a major pest of soybean in the north-central United States and south-central Canada. It is controlled primarily with insecticides, but the development of aphid-resistant soybean cultivars may provide an alternative management tactic. The viability of this management tactic depends on a diverse set of resistance sources in order to counter various resistance-breaking SA biotypes, and the identification of new resistance sources necessitates additional testing of soybean germplasm. The current study used no-choice tests to vet SA resistance in seven early-maturity soybean plant introduction (PI) lines that had been advanced from screening trials. The tests showed PI 437353 and PI 612759 C had an intermediate level of resistance against avirulent SA, whereas PI 437282, PI 437658, PI 437733, PI 548417, and PI 548530 exhibited no meaningful resistance. Follow-up studies with PI 437353 and PI 612759 C may be useful to determine whether either or both lines might have valuable QTL that could further diversify resistance genetics against SA biotypes. Screening and follow-up tests of additional soybean germplasm is warranted in order to ensure the development of durable, SA-resistant cultivars.