This project facilitates screening of the MU breeding programs’ experimental lines and varieties for resistance to SCN.

The primary goal of this project is to develop productive soybean germplasm and varieties for Missouri with resistance to multiple nematode species. This will be accomplished using SCN, RKN, and RN resistant sources with genes that are most effective against the species prevalent in the state. The work performed under this project will ensure the continued development of high yielding soybean cultivars with multi-nematode resistance for the delta region producers and ensure SCN resistance for the other portions of Missouri.

?Develop high yielding soybean varieties with resistance to SCN
?Incorporate genes from new sources for broader resistance to SCN
?Evaluate associated genetic markers for use in the variety development program atMU
?Phenotype breeding lines from the southern and northern MO breeding programs forresistance against multiple SCN populations
?Evaluate new methodologies to improve the process of SCN phenotyping for high-throughput screening of breeding lines

Updated April 27, 2021:
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are the cause of significant yield losses for Missouri soybean producers each year. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most economically important nematode species that infects soybeans, and it is found throughout the state of Missouri where soybeans are grown. The primary goal of this project is to develop productive soybean germplasm and varieties for Missouri with resistance to soybean cyst nematode. The work performed under this project will ensure the continued development of high yielding soybean cultivars with multi-nematode resistance for Missouri producers.

During 2020, 339 advanced soybean breeding lines from Missouri’s Southern and Northern breeding programs were
evaluated for resistance to four soybean cyst nematode populations including Race 1 (HG 2.5.7), Race 2 (HG 1.2.5.7),
Race 3 (HG 7) and Race 5 (HG 2.5.7). Approximately 5,169 plants from the breeding programs were evaluated.

This year we continued to evaluate material for Pawan Basnet’s research project involving the mapping of SCN resistance genes in a particular plant introduction (PI) line. In this project, we screened 218 lines to evaluate the interaction of SCN
resistance genes for response to four different nematode populations, Races 1, 2, 3, and 5. We also screened 126 lines
for fine-mapping of SCN resistance genes in that PI line. Approximately 5,390 plants were evaluated for this part of the project. This project will allow us to identify the genetic architecture of Race 2 resistance in the unique PI line.

Varieties with multi-nematode and multi-SCN race resistance are limited and needed to reduce losses. Every bushel yield saved by growing a resistant variety will directly translate to farmer income. Continued development of high yielding soybean cultivars with SCN resistance is essential to maintain profitability of soybean for Missouri producers.