Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
06:28
Screening Cotton Genotypes for Reniform Nematode Resistance
Published on: May 2, 2019
Effect of Rotation Crops on Heterodera glycines Population Density in a Greenhouse Screening Study
S A Warnke1, S Y Chen, D L Wyse
1Department of Plant Pathology and Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108. Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN 56093.
Journal of Nematology
|March 5, 2009
Summary
Certain cover crops, especially legumes like sunn hemp, significantly reduce soybean cyst nematode populations. This research identifies optimal rotation crops for managing this damaging soybean pest.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Pathology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) is a major pest impacting soybean yields.
- Crop rotation is a key strategy for managing soil-borne pathogens.
- Optimal rotation crops for reducing Heterodera glycines populations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 46 different crops in reducing Heterodera glycines populations.
- To identify the most effective rotation crops for managing soybean cyst nematode.
Main Methods:
- A greenhouse study was conducted using soil infested with Heterodera glycines.
- 46 crops were grown for 75 days, then incorporated into the soil.
- Soil samples were analyzed for nematode egg density and cyst formation after an additional 56 days, with a soybean bioassay used to assess egg viability.
Main Results:
- Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), forage pea (Pisum sativum), lab-lab bean (Lablab purpureus), Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) demonstrated significant reductions in Heterodera glycines populations.
- Sunn hemp consistently yielded the lowest egg and cyst counts.
- Legumes, as a group, were more effective in reducing nematode populations than monocots, Brassica species, and other dicots.
Conclusions:
- Several crop species, particularly legumes, can effectively reduce Heterodera glycines populations in soil.
- Sunn hemp shows exceptional potential as a rotation crop for managing soybean cyst nematode.
- Leguminous cover crops offer a promising strategy for sustainable soybean cyst nematode control.
