A Broad Review of Soybean Research on the Ongoing Race to Overcome Soybean Cyst Nematode

Abstract

Plant pathogens greatly impact food security of the ever-growing human population. Breeding resistant crops is one of the most sustainable strategies to overcome the negative effects of these biotic stressors. In order to efficiently breed for resistant plants, the specific plant–pathogen interactions should be understood. Soybean is a short-day legume that is a staple in human food and animal feed due to its high nutritional content. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major soybean stressor infecting soybean worldwide including in China, Brazil, Argentina, USA and Canada. There are many Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to SCN that have been identified; however, only two are widely used: rhg1 and Rhg4. Overuse of cultivars containing these QTLs/genes can lead to SCN resistance breakdown, necessitating the use of additional strategies. In this manuscript, a literature review is conducted on research related to soybean resistance to SCN. The main goal is to provide a current understanding of the mechanisms of SCN resistance and list the areas of research that could be further explored.

Nematocidal Potential of Phenolic Acids: A Phytochemical Seed-Coating Approach to Soybean Cyst Nematode Management

“…Currently, effective nematode control presents a massive ongoing challenge as it becomes clear that progressive solutions necessitate an integrated management approach that encompasses a strategic combination of farming practices, resistant crop varieties, chemical applications, and biocontrol methods [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. As research continues to investigate the pairing of phytochemical-based nematicides with seed application methods, there are a number of challenges and constraints that can slow progress, including compound identification, purification, product standardization, field trials, and regulatory barriers [ 6 ].…”

“…Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill), one of the most economically valuable agricultural crops worldwide, contributes to the majority of plant-derived proteins, fats, and oil products. However, soybean crops are globally decimated by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe), a parasitic pest resulting in massive annual losses in soybean yields and economic revenue (~$1.5 billion in the U.S. alone) [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs), such as SCN, can inflict significant harm on plants by ciphering off nutrients, depleting water availability, and consequently, making them more susceptible to further pathogenic infections or pest-induced damage [ 4 ].…”

“…As a result, public opinions in recent years have favored alternative pest management strategies, and thus have prompted the growing demand for more sustainable, and safer, solutions [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In conjunction with traditional farming practices, SCN management relies heavily on the development and breeding of improved SCN-resistant soybean varieties to combat expanding SCN populations [ 2 , 3 ]. However, the effectiveness of resistant cultivars which are currently employed is decreasing due to SCN evolution while efforts to develop more effective SCN-resistant cultivars requires a considerable amount of time, rigorous regulatory approval, and has sizable financial costs [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Evaluation Soybean Cultivars for Reaction to Heterodera glycines Populations HG Types 7 and 1.3.4.7 in Northeast China

“…In order to effectively manage SCN, it is crucial to understand the virulence phenotypes of SCN and resistant sources [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Soybean growers can select suitable resistant cultivars according to HG types and agronomic performance.…”

“…The soybean cultivar from Northeast China breeding program was resistant to HG 0, whereas field populations of SCN exhibit variability in their parasitism of soybean cultivars. Thus, resistant varieties must be matched to the virulence phenotype of SCN [ 33 ].…”