A major quantitative trait locus resistant to southern root‐knot nematode sustains soybean yield under nematode pressure

Abstract

Southern root‐knot nematode (SRKN) is one of the most yield‐suppressing pathogens in soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the United States. With limited chemical and cultural management options, the use of genetic resistance is the most efficient and economical approach to control SRKN. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapped to chromosome 10 is the primary source of resistance in soybean cultivars; however, limited studies have been conducted to evaluate its efficacy in minimizing yield suppression under field conditions with SRKN pressure. This study evaluated the yield performance of 202 elite soybean lines in field conditions with variable distribution of SRKN. Soybean lines were characterized based on the presence of the major QTL on chromosome 10 and grown in four‐row yield plots across six environments over 2 yr. Plots were soil sampled and enumerated to determine nematode population densities. No statistically significant differences in yield performance between resistant and susceptible lines were observed in the absence of nematode pressure, indicating no yield drag associated with resistance. Under SRKN pressure, the group of resistant lines yielded, on average, 19.1 and 23.3% higher than the susceptible lines in 2018 and 2019, respectively. For the susceptible lines, the presence of 1,000 SRKN second‐stage juveniles (J2) in 100 cm−3 of soil negatively affected yield by 6.2%. The presence of the major resistance allele on chromosome 10 reduced yield losses by approximately six‐fold in comparison to the susceptible group which provided significant yield protection under high SRKN pressure.

Incorporation of Soil-Derived Covariates in Progeny Testing and Line Selection to Enhance Genomic Prediction Accuracy in Soybean Breeding

“…The differential response of genotypes across environments for a given phenotype of interest guide critical decisions in a plant breeding program, including the selection and advancement of genotypes as well as overall logistics and allocation of resources for multi-environment trials ( Hill, 1975 ; Cooper and DeLacy, 1994 ; Kang, 1997 ; de Leon et al, 2016 ). Yield is a highly complex and quantitative trait regulated by numerous large and small-effect genes, of which its expression is immensely dependable on the genotype interaction with various components of the environment including pathogens ( Rincker et al, 2017 ; Vieira et al, 2021 ), pests ( Haile et al, 1998 ; Rocha et al, 2015 ), weeds ( Oerke, 2006 ; Soltani et al, 2017 ), temperature, light, and precipitation ( Runge and Odell, 1960 ; Goldblum, 2009 ; Alsajri et al, 2020 ), and soil-derived factors ( Cox et al, 2003 ; Kaspar et al, 2004 ; Anthony et al, 2012 ). Thus, a practical and accurate implementation of genomic selection for yield relies on understanding and accounting for the interaction of molecular markers with the environment and/or its multiple components.…”

Registration of ‘S13‐3851C’ soybean as a high‐yielding conventional cultivar with high oil content and broad disease resistance and adaptation

“…[SS] = 1), sudden death syndrome (SS = 0), Phytophthora root rot (SS = 10, 10, 22, and 13 to Races 1, 2, 3, and 7, respectively), and charcoal rot (SS = 1). Although S13-3851C has broad adaptation and high yield performance across southern states, it is susceptible to multiple nematode species and may suffer yield losses in areas with high nematode pressure, particularly in sandy soils (Vieira et al, 2021) (Table 5).…”

Registration of ‘S11‐17025C’ soybean: A high‐yielding and high‐oil conventional cultivar with broad resistance to diseases and nematodes

“…From 2015 to 2019, SCN, RKN, and frogeye leaf spot (FLS; caused by Cercospora sojina K. Hara) consistently ranked among the top five diseases and pests in the southern United States (T. W. Allen et al., 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020; T. W. Allen, Bradley, Damicone, et al., 2017). Due to limited chemical and management options, the use of genetic resistance is the most sustainable, economical, and effective strategy to manage yield‐limiting diseases (McAllister et al., 2021; Vieira et al., 2021). Therefore, U.S. soybean breeding programs have devoted efforts to developing high‐yielding soybean cultivars and germplasm adapted to the Midsouth with enhanced genetic resistance to multiple diseases (P. Chen et al., 2021a, 2022; Li et al., 2022; Pantalone & Wyman, 2020).…”