Likelihood of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) Reproduction on Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) Roots in Nebraska

Abstract

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major soybean yield–limiting disease in the United States. Henbit, a winter annual species common to no-till fields in the midwestern United States, is known to act as an alternative host for SCN. A simulation was performed to estimate how likely SCN was to reproduce on henbit roots during a 30-yr period in two important soybean production areas of Nebraska. Simulations were conducted using published information on henbit seedling emergence, SCN reproduction on henbit roots, and SCN response to soil temperature. Results indicate that SCN would be able to complete one generation on henbit roots under Nebraska conditions. The SCN reproductive cycle was not likely to be completed before the winter in south central Nebraska, but one SCN generation was predicted to be completed in the fall in 2 out of 30 simulation years (7% likelihood) in southeast Nebraska. Based on our predictions, to reduce the chances of SCN population build-up in the absence of its main host (soybean), weed management in fields infested with both henbit and SCN should be completed after crop harvest in the fall when most henbit seedlings have emerged and are growing but the SCN developing on henbit roots have not yet achieved full maturity in Nebraska.

Weedy fallow as an alternative strategy for reducing nitrogen loss from annual cropping systems

“…Delayed management of winter annual weeds may reduce available water and nutrients in resourcelimited environments leading to reduced yield of the subsequent crop (Mueller et al 2013). Similarly, some weed species (e.g., L. amplexicaule L.) can serve as hosts for pests like soybean cyst nematode, and weed management at the beginning of the fallow period is recommended to minimize the risk of infestation and yield loss in subsequent soybean crops (Werle et al 2015). The indirect deleterious effects of weeds on cash crops are a legitimate limitation of weedy fallow, but many of these limitations also apply to cover crops.…”

Determination of weed hosts of soybean cyst nematode in South Dakota

“…), mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium fontanum Baumg. ), common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.), field pennycress or henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.), and purple deadnettle (Chen 2012;Giesler and Wilson 2011;Mock et al 2007;Poromarto et al 2015;Tylka 2012;Werle et al 2015). However, identification of SCN weed host species is complicated because of the genetic variability of HG types, localized environment, and selection pressure associated with different agronomic practices (Riggs and Schmitt 1988).…”