Poster: Biology & Disease Mgmt: Nematology
78-P
Investigating the role of maize for influence on soybean cyst nematode
R. MEDINA (1) (1) The Ohio State University, U.S.A.
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) has a significant impact on the soybean industry, costing $90 million dollars annually. SCN has been managed mostly through the use of resistant cultivars and non-host crop rotations. Recently, resistance-breaking populations of SCN have made the use of SCN-resistant cultivars far less effective in controlling this nematode. Reliance on crop rotation has now become significantly more important for SCN control. However, little is known about how widely used non-host crops can impact SCN populations. Previous reports suggest that SCN numbers can be reduced during rotations with maize but the mode of action in this interaction is unknown. This study aimed to identify parental lines from the maize Nested Association Mapping population that are most effective at decreasing SCN populations through the production of allelopathic chemicals in root exudates. Field experiments were established using a simulated crop rotation scheme with maize and soybean. When exposed to developing maize seedlings, nematodes showed altered infection rates on soybean. A controlled experiment to complement field data collected showed significant differences in cyst production after pretreatment with maize lines. Soybean growers will ultimately directly benefit from this research by gaining knowledge on biochemical characteristics that can improve non-host selection and aid in further reducing SCN nematode populations in infested fields.