Distribution and Virulence Phenotypes of Heterodera glycines in Missouri

The soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, is the most economically important pathogen of soybean in Missouri. Knowledge of the nematode's distribution and ability to adapt to resistant varieties is important for determining crop losses and establishing research priorities. No previous surveys of Missouri have provided reliable population density and phenotypic diversity data; therefore, we conducted a random survey to obtain both. Two samples from each of 200 fields were collected; 392 samples were processed for extractions of cysts and eggs. Two hundred and forty seven (63%) of the samples had detectable cyst nematode populations, which ranged from 15 to 149,700 eggs per 250 cm³ of soil. The lowest average population densities were observed in the east-central region of Missouri (2,260 eggs per 250 cm³ of soil), and the highest were observed in the northeast (9,238 eggs per 250 cm³ of soil), but among the eight regions sampled, mean population densities did not differ significantly. These population densities were potentially responsible for losses worth over $58 million in 1999 in Missouri. Race tests were conducted on populations from 183 samples. In order of frequency, races 3, 1, and 2 accounted for 86% of H. glycines populations. Nearly 60% of the populations were virulent (able to produce females) on plant introduction (PI) 88788, which is the source of resistance for most H. glycines-resistant cultivars. More than a third of the populations were virulent on cv. Peking, another common resistance source. Very few populations were virulent on PI 90763 or PI 437654, suggesting that these sources of resistance should be exploited more frequently.