Effect of Fusarium virguliforme and Heterodera glycines on soybean

Abstract

Fusarium virguliforme, the soilborne fungus which causes sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean, and Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, soybean cyst nematode (SCN), are two economically important pathogens in the Midwest. The pathogens are often found together in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) fields. This study was conducted to determine the effect of soybean genotype, F. virguliforme populations, and H. glycines populations have upon yield and to examine the interaction between the two pathogens. In 2008 and 2009, four genotypes with different levels of resistance to SDS and H. glycines were planted at seven environments. F. virguliforme and H. glycines soil populations were quantified at planting, midseason, and harvest. At the end of the growing season, area under the disease progress curves of SDS, F. virguliforme root populations, and H. glycines reproductive indices were determined and plots harvested for seed yield. Soil populations of F. virguliforme and H. glycines at planting, midseason, and harvest varied across environments. Within environments, generally, they were not significantly different. Seed yield varied within and across environments. As disease pressure increased, the performance of resistant genotypes increased compared to susceptible genotypes. Genotypes resistant to SDS yielded higher than susceptible genotypes. There were negative correlations between yield and disease rating and F. virguliforme root populations. F. virguliforme soil populations and H. glycines populations at planting were positively correlated. It is important to manage both SDS and H. glycines in fields with a history of the two diseases. This can be achieved through genetic resistance. Information in this study will improve decisions regarding genotype selection to minimize losses to SDS and H. glycines.