Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most damaging pest to soybean plants. SCN race2 is predominant in North Carolina. Using SCN-resistant soybean cultivars is the most efficient and environmental-friendly strategy to manage SCN damages. However, few soybean cultivars are resistant to SCN race 2. This project will screen both soybean cultivars, as well as the soybean wild relative, Glycine soja, to identify genotypes resistant to SCN race 2. The identified resistant soybean cultivars can be used by soybean farmers. The resistant wild soybean genotypes can be used as novel genetic resources to develop new and diverse SCN-resistant soybean cultivars.
As expected, much higher percentage of wild soybean genotypes (53/244=21.7%) showed resistance or moderate resistance to SCN race 2 than that of soybean cultivars (8/67=11.9). This can be explained that wild soybeans harbor much higher levels of diversity while cultivated soybeans have lost more than half of their genetic variation during domestication. More interestingly, one wild soybean genotype was identified resistant to SCN race 2, repeated evaluation is needed in the near future. We have published two manuscripts during funding period and acknowledged funding
support from NCSPA. In addition, we gave five invited talks, as well as a total of seven students presentations (oral or poster) at national and international meetings. The screening results will be organized and reported in a peer-review journal in the near future