In-vitro Assays of Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera glycines for Detection of Nematode-antagonistic Fungal Compounds

In-vitro methods were developed to test fungi for production of metabolites affecting nematode egg hatch and mobility of second-stage juveniles. Separate assays were developed for two nematodes: root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). For egg hatch to be successfully assayed, eggs must first be surface-disinfested to avoid the confounding effects of incidental microbial growth facilitated by the fungal culture medium. Sodium hypochlorite was more effective than chlorhexidine diacetate or formaldehyde solutions at surface-disinfesting soybean cyst nematode eggs from greenhouse cultures. Subsequent rinsing with sodium thiosulfate to remove residual chlorine from disinfested eggs did not improve either soybean cyst nematode hatch or juvenile mobility. Soybean cyst nematode hatch in all culture media was lower than in water. Sodium hypochlorite was also used to surface-disinfest root-knot nematode eggs. In contrast to soybean cyst nematode hatch, root-knot nematode hatch was higher in potato dextrose broth medium than in water. Broth of the fungus Fusarium equiseti inhibited root-knot nematode egg hatch and was investigated in more detail. Broth extract and its chemical fractions not only inhibited egg hatch but also immobilized second-stage juveniles that did hatch, confirming that the fungus secretes nematode-antagonistic metabolites.

FMRFamide-like Immunoactivity in Heterodera glycines (Nemata: Tylenchida)

Material antigenically related to the neuromodulatory peptide FMRFamide was detected and examined in preparations of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, and in the free-living nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Panagrellus redivivus. FMRFamide-related peptides were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific activities were remarkably similar among all of the vermiform members of the three species. FMRFamide-related peptide immunoactivity was present in both sexes and all stages of H. glycines examined. The highest specific activity was present in second-stage juveniles and in males, and the lowest in white and yellow females. Total FMRFamide-related peptide level per individual was highest in brown females, with 90% of the activity associated with the eggs. Peptide levels in these eggs and in second-stage juveniles were comparable and increased in adults, especially in females. Chromatographic analysis of FMRFamide-related peptide preparations from H. glycines juveniles, C. elegans, and P. redivivus revealed distinct qualitative differences between the infective plant parasite and the free-living nematodes.

Changes in Heterodera glycines Egg Population Density in Continuous Glycine max over Four Years

Soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, is found throughout soybean production areas of the United States, but the nematode's distribution is not uniform within states, counties, and individual fields. The goal of this research was to determine the spatial pattern of H. glycines population density in a field in southeastern Missouri and whether it changed over time in the absence of management practices. Geostatistical methods were used to describe and map the distribution of H. glycines over 4 years in a soybean (Glycine max) field in southeastern Missouri. Semivariograms and kriging, an interpolation method, were used to prepare isoarithmic contour maps and associated error maps. In the field studied, fall H. glycines population density (Pf) was poorly related to density the following spring (Pi). The distribution of peak H. glycines population density within the field changed from year to year, although high densities were often detected in the same general region of the field. The patchiness of H. glycines distribution within a field was verified. Yield was not related to H. glycines egg population density at planting, indicating that unmeasured variables were also reducing yield.

Resistance to Root-knot, Reniform, and Soybean Cyst Nematodes in Selected Soybean Breeding Lines

Soybean breeding lines and reported sources of nematode resistance were evaluated in repeated greenhouse tests for resistance to North Carolina populations of the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines, reniform nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis, and the root-knot nematode species Meloidogyne incognita, M. arenaria, and M. arenaria. Lines from the soybean breeding program in Missouri that had 'Hartwig' soybean as a parent were the most resistant to races 1-4 of the soybean cyst nematode and the population of reniform nematode evaluated here. Numerous cysts of an inbred soybean cyst nematode race 4 population were produced on several of these Hartwig descendants, however, and accession $92-1603 had a cyst index of 29.2%. These accessions were also susceptible to M. arenaria and M. arenaria. Soybean lines N87-539 and N91-245 from the breeding program in North Carolina had strong resistance to an inbred soybean cyst nematode race 1 population and to M. arenaria, respectively. Soybean germplasm from the Georgia breeding program demonstrated the strongest resistance to the root-knot nematode species tested. Lines from the Georgia program, including G80-1515, G83-559, G93-9106, and G93-9223, that incorporated both root-knot and soybean cyst nematode resistance had the best overall resistance to the nematode populations evaluated. Resistance reported in the soybean lines was generally upheld. In a few cases, differences in the origin and culture of the nematode populations used in this study may have led to discrepancies between reported and observed resistance.

Colonization of Soybean Cyst Nematode Females, Cysts, and Gelatinous Matrices by the Fungus Verticillium lecanii

Heterodera glycines was grown in monoxenic culture on soybean roots and then inoculated with the antagonistic fungus Verticillium lecanii. Use of root explant cultures allowed evaluation of the fungus-nematode interaction with the nematode attached to roots or removed from the host, and avoided contamination with other fungi. From 16 hours to 14 days following inoculation, female and cyst samples were examined with the light microscope, or prepared for either conventional or low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. Within 16 hours, hyphae had begun colonizing the gelatinous matrices (GM). The fungus proliferated in the GM of some specimens within a week, but was rarely seen in unhatched eggs. Fungus penetration holes in female and cyst walls were observed 3 days after inoculation; penetration through nematode orifices was not seen at that time. More cysts than females were colonized at the earliest sampling dates. Specimens associated with external hyphae exhibited variable internal colonization, ranging from no fungal penetration to extensive mycelial growth.

Possible Transfer of Resistance to Heterodera glycines from Glycine tomentella to Glycine max

Eight wild perennial Glycine species (G. argyrea, G. canescens, G. curvata, G. cyrtoloba, G. latifolia, G. microphylla, G. tabacina, and G. tomentella) were evaluated for resistance to isolates of races 1, 3, and 14 of Heterodera glycines. In a second experiment, reproduction of isolates of races 3, 5, and 14 of H. glycines on five of the wild perennial species was determined. Seventy-one derived fertile lines (2n = 40) that were hybrids between G. max cv Clark 63 and G. tomentella also were evaluated for resistance to isolates of races 3, 5, and 14. All of the wild perennial Glycine species were resistant (Female Indices [FI] less than 10) to all of the isolates that were tested on them. In most cases no females matured. The soybean cvs. Clark 63 and Altona, which were tested at the same time as the hybrids, were susceptible to all isolates of H. glycines tested. When the tests were combined and a single FI calculated with the average number of females on Lee 74, one derived fertile line was resistant to race 3, three derived fertile lines were resistant to race 5, and five derived fertile lines were resistant to race 14. Thus, transfer of resistance to H. glycines from G. tomentella to G. max apparently occurred.

Soil Infestation Density Affects the Results of Heterodera glycines Race Tests

Production of females by stock populations of races 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 14 of Heterodera glycines on 'Lee 74', 'Pickett', 'Peking,' PI 88788, and PI 90763 soybean cultivars and lines at inoculum densities of 100, 1,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 10,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles/pot (2.2, 21.8, 87.1, 108.9, and 217.9/cm(3) soil) was tested to determine the effects of soil population density on race identification using the 16-race scheme. Tests of all races were repeated 1 to 3 times during the year, except for the race 9 test, which was conducted once. Only races 3 and 9 had the same race designation at all infestation densities in repeated tests. Races 2 and 4 consistently were identified at all except the lowest infestation densities. Race 5 was identified as race 15 at the 100 infestation density in one test, and as race 1 at the 1,000 density in another test. Race 6 had significant numbers of females on Peking and P190763 that resulted in female indices of 34 on Peking and 14 on P190763 when the infestation density was 10,000. Race 14 was consistently identified between infestation densities of 4,000 and 10,000 but was identified as race 6 or 9 at the 100 infestation density and as race 4 or 14 at the 1,000 infestation density. Race 1 was identified as race 5 in a few instances because Pickett was not resistant to this population. The results of this series of experiments suggest that an infestation density of 4,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles/pot is best for race identification. Races were very poorly differentiated at the lowest density, differentiation was inconsistent at the 1,000 infestation density, and densities higher than 4,000 had reduced numbers of females on Lee 74 and relatively high numbers on the differentials which resulted in poor race differentiation with some races.

Velvetbean and Bahiagrass as Rotation Crops for Management of Meloidogyne spp. and Heterodera glycines in Soybean

Soybean (Glycine max) yield often is limited by the phytoparasitic nematodes Meloidogyne spp. and Heterodera glycines in the southeastern United States. We studied the effects of rotation with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), velvetbean (Mucuna pruiens), or continuous soybean, aldicarb, and soybean cultivar on yield and population densities in two fields infested with a mixture of Meloidogyne spp. and H. glycines. Velvetbean and bahiagrass reduced population levels of both nematode species to near zero prior to planting soybean. At harvest, both nematode populations were equal in soybean following bahiagrass and continuous soybean but were lower following velvetbean. Both bahiagrass and velvetbean as previous crops were equal in producing significantly (P < 0.003) higher yield than continuous soybean. Velvetbean increased subsequent soybean yield by 98% and bahiagrass increased subsequent soybean yield by 85% as previous crops compared to continuous soybean. The major differences between the two rotation crops were yield response of the nematode-susceptible cultivars and at-harvest nematode populations. Velvetbean tended to mask genetic differences among cultivars more so than bahiagrass. Velvetbean also produced a more long-term effect on nematode populations, with numbers of both Meloidogyne spp. and H. glycines lower in soybean following velvethean than following bahiagrass or continuous soybean.

Variation in Efficacy of Isolates of the Fungus ARF Against the Soybean Cyst Nematode Heterodera glycines

An unnamed fungus, designated ARF, that parasitizes eggs and sedentary stages of cyst nematodes is a potential biological control agent of Heterodera glycines. The objectives of this study were to determine whether ARF isolates differ in their ability to suppress nematode numbers in soil and to compare the efficacy of ARF in heat-treated and native soil. The effectiveness of 11 ARF isolates was compared by introducing homogenized mycelium into heat-treated soil. Soybean seedlings were transplanted into pots containing fungus-infested soil and inoculated with H. glycines. After 30 or 60 days, the number of nematodes and the percentage of parasitized eggs were determined. Three isolates (907, 908, and TN14), which were previously reported to be weak egg parasites in vitro, consistently suppressed nematode numbers by 50% to 100%. Of the isolates previously reported to be aggressive egg parasites, four (903, BG2, MS3, and TN12) reduced nematode numbers by 56% to 69% in at least one experimental trial, but the other four had no effect on nematode numbers. When the efficacy of isolate TN14 was tested in heat-treated and native soil, nematode suppression was greater in the heat-treated soil in only one of two trials. In both soil treatments, nematode numbers were reduced by more than 60%. We conclude that virulence toward nematode eggs in vitro is a poor indicator of effectiveness of an ARF isolate in soil, and that the presence of soil microbes may reduce, but does not completely inhibit, activity of isolate TN14.

An Alternative Field Method for Screening Soybean Genotypes for Resistance to Heterodera glycines

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) has become an increasingly severe problem in soybean production areas in Brazil. The development and use of resistant cultivars is the most efficient method of minimizing losses due to this pathogen. Our objective was to test the efficiency of an alternative method for screening soybean genotypes for resistance to H. glycines in field plots. The alternative method was compared to the standard method of sowing the test genotypes in fields found to be infested during the previous crop season. In the alternative method, the test genotypes are sown in the furrow following the uprooting of 45-day-old infected plants. The alternative method resulted in twice the cyst population and fewer escapes, and more consistent results than the standard method. The major advantage of the alternative method is that it permits screening in a more homogeneous distribution of H. glycines in the soil.

Esterase Allozymes of Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines, from China, Japan, and the United States

Individual females from 19 populations of Heterodera glycines from China, Japan, and the United States were analyzed for esterase allozyme polymorphism. Eight esterase electrophoretic phenotypes were resolved. Four putative loci, est-1, est-2, est-3, and est-4, were identified, having one, one, two, and one allele, respectively. The four loci expressed six genotypes in the four Chinese populations. Loci est-2, est-3, and est-4 were identified in five Japanese populations and expressed five genotypes, whereas only loci est-2 and est-3 were identified in 10 populations from the United States and expressed four genotypes. Putative alleles at each locus were defined as characters for data analysis. Phylogenetic analysis using parsimony (PAUP) was utilized to determine relationships among the 19 populations. More loci and alleles in populations from China and phylogenetic similarities among populations from Japan and the United States are consistent with a founder effect resulting from dissemination of progenitor H. glycines from China to Japan and subsequent introductions of founder populations from Japan to the United States.

Diversity Among a Heterodera glycines Field Isolate and Derived Inbreds Based on RAPD Analysis and Reproduction on Soybean Genotypes

A field population of Heterodera glycines was inbred by a combination of controlled male-female matings and inoculation of soybean with second-stage juveniles (J2) from single cysts. The initial and four F inbred populations were subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and were also tested for their ability to reproduce on race differentials. The RAPD patterns of the inbred populations had a lower number of total bands and a lower percentage of polymorphic bands among individual cysts than the initial population. The estimated number of polymorphic loci detected by RAPD analysis was about 25% for the initial population and 4% to 7% for the inbred lines. Reproduction of H. glycines decreased for 6 of 24 inbred-soybean combinations. In particular, reproduction of three inbred populations on PI 90763 was greatly reduced. Inbreeding did not decrease variance of cyst number on soybean genotypes. The inbreeding coefficient calculated from RAPD data was greater than that derived from the known inbreeding pedigree.

Survey of Heterodera glycines Races and Other Plant-parasitic Nematodes on Soybean in North Carolina

A survey of soybean-production areas in the Piedmont, Coastal Plain and Tidewater regions of North Carolina was conducted from 1994 to 1996. Heterodera glycines was detected in 55 of 77 fields sampled in 15 counties. The host race of H. glycines was determined for 39 of the populations collected. Of all populations collected, 4% were race 1, 40% race 2, 16% race 4, 7% race 5, and 4% race 9; the remaining 29% could not be accurately categorized. None of the populations evaluated had high levels of reproduction on the resistant cultivar Hartwig. The southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was detected in 26% of the fields. Helicotylenchus spp. were detected in all fields sampled, Tylenchorhynchus spp. were found in 62%, Paratrichodorus spp. in 56%, and Pratylenchus spp. in 72% of fields sampled. Mesocriconema spp., Xiphinema spp., and Hoplolaimus spp. were detected in less than 20% of the fields sampled.

Caenorhabditis elegans: A Genetic Guide to Parasitic Nematode Biology

The advent of parasite genome sequencing projects, as well as an increase in biology-directed gene discovery, promises to reveal genes encoding many of the key molecules required for nematode-host interactions. However, distinguishing parasitism genes from those merely required for nematode viability remains a substantial challenge. Although this will ultimately require a functional test in the host or parasite, the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans can be exploited as a heterologous system to determine function of candidate parasitism genes. Studies of C. elegans also have revealed genetic networks, such as the dauer pathway, that may also be important adaptations for parasitism. As a more directed means of identifying parasitism traits, we developed classical genetics for Heterodera glycines and have used this approach to map genes conferring host resistance-breaking phenotypes. It is likely that the C. elegans and H. glycines genomes will be at least partially syntenic, thus permitting predictive physical mapping of H. glycines genes of interest.

In-situ Hybridization to Messenger RNA in Heterodera glycines

A method is presented for in-situ hybridization to mRNA in second-stage juveniles (J2) of the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines. The protocol was developed using a digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe transcribed from cDNA of a cellulase gene that was known to be expressed in the subventral esophageal glands of H. glycines. Formaldehyde-fixed J2 were cut into sections with a vibrating razor blade to make the inside of the nematodes accessible for probing. These nematode fragments then were hybridized in suspension with riboprobe, and labeled with an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibody to digoxigenin. Staining with nitroblue tetrazolium and bromo-chloro-indolyl phosphate revealed a highly specific hybridization signal to mRNA within the cytoplasm of the subventral gland cells, using this specific antisense probe. This in-situ hybridization protocol will be useful for the characterization and identification of esophageal gland secretion genes in plant-parasitic nematodes, among other applications.

Influence of herbicide application to soybeans on soybean cyst nematode egg hatching

The hatching of Heterodera glycines eggs in soybean root exudates collected after postemergence application of three herbicides, and the hatching potential of H. glycines eggs from females feeding on herbicide-treated plants, were measured in vitro. Hatching in all root exudate solutions (RES) was greater than in deionized water but less than in 0.003 M ZnSO solution. Filtering RES with a 0.22-mum-filter increased H. glycines hatching in RES. Application of acifluorfen, bentazon, and lactofen to foliage of soybean plants inhibited hatching of H. glycines eggs from the same plants. Hatching in RES from the different herbicide-treated soybeans was similar. Application of crop oil concentrate and non-ionic surfactant adjuvant to foliage did not affect hatching of H. glycines eggs from soybean plants.

Effects of Some Pesticides on the Growth of ARF18 and Its Pathogenicity to Heterodera glycines

The effects of 22 pesticides on the mycelial growth and pathogenicity of the biocontrol fungus ARFI8 to Heterodera glycines were tested in vitro. The chemicals were added to agar at 10, 100, and 1,000 ppm a.i.; a block of agar containing the fungus was added to each test concentration; and fungal growth was measured. Subsequently, a block of the fungus on the pesticide-containing agar was used to determine the ability of the fungus to parasitize eggs of H. glycines. Aldicarb, bentazone, and chlorothalonil had little or no effect on fungal growth, whereas benomyl and thiophanate methyl completely inhibited growth of the fungus at 10 ppm. The relative insensitivity of ARF18 to certain pesticides would permit selected use of those pesticides with ARF18 in an integrated control program if the effects on the fungus in the field are similar to results from petri dish studies.

Inoculation Method for Studying Early Responses of Glycine max to Heterodera glycines

An inoculation technique was developed for studying molecular responses of soybean to the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). Effect of inoculum age (0-7 days after eggs were released from cysts) and inoculation site (meristem, elongation, or differentiation zone) on infection were tested on four soybean genotypes. Two genotypes (PI 437654 and cv. Peking) were resistant and two (cv. Essex and cv. Hutcheson) were susceptible to race 3 of H. glycines. Inoculum consisting of second-stage juveniles (J2) was prepared by gently agitating nematode eggs at 75 revolutions per minute at 28 degrees C for various intervals. Infection rates were monitored cytologically. The most consistent infection rate was obtained with 48-hour-old inoculum containing more than 80% J2. More than 100 juveniles/root were observed after inoculation with the 48-hour-old inoculum placed at the root elongation zone, in both resistant and susceptible soybeans. Horizontal orientation of roots during inoculation, the use of concentrated J2 inoculurn (500 J2 in 125 mul/root), and restriction of inoculum to the root elongation zone facilitated synchronous root infection.

Variation in Resistance of Soybean Lines to Races of Heterodera glycines

The objective of this study was to determine the interrelationships of Heterodera glycines races based on their resistance to soybean (Glycine max) cultivars and lines against which they were tested. Greenhouse tests determined the numbers of females of each of eight races of H. glycines that developed on 277 to 522 soybean cultivars and lines. A Female Index (number of females on a test cultivar as a percentage of the number on 'Lee 74') was calculated and used in frequency distributions, correlations, and duster analyses of the resistance reactions to the different races in an attempt to determine relationships among cultivars. Frequency distribution patterns of all cultivars and lines tested against each race were skewed in favor of resistance, and in some cases bimodality was observed. The majority of correlations between pairs of races were highly significant. Cluster analyses based on the correlations divided eight races into four clusters that explained 73% of the variation in resistance. Cluster 1 was comprised of races 2, 4, and 14; Cluster 2 was comprised of races 6 and 9; Cluster 3 was comprised of races 1 and 3; and Cluster 4 was comprised of race 5. The information obtained in this study could increase the efficiency of testing resistant soybean breeding lines for resistance to H. glycines.

Pathogenicity of Pratylenchus penetrans, Heterodera glycines, and Meloidogyne incognita on Soybean Genotypes

The pathogenicity of Heterodera glycines, Meloidogyne incognita, and Pratylenchus penetrans on H. glycines-resistant 'Bryan,' tolerant-susceptible 'G88-20092,' and intolerant-susceptible 'Tracy M' soybean cultivars was tested using plants grown in 800 cm(3) of soil in 15-cm-diam. clay pots in three greenhouse experiments. Plants were inoculated with 0, 1,000, 3,000, or 9,000 H. glycines race 3 or M. incognita eggs, or vermiform stages of P. penetrans/pot. Forty days after inoculation, nmnbers of all three nematodes, except H. glycines on Bryan, generally increased with increasing inoculum levels in Experiment I. Heterodera glycines and M. incognita significantly decreased growth only of Tracy M. At 45 and 57 days after inoculation with 6,000 individuals/pot in experiments II and III, respectively, significantly more P. penetrans and M. incognita than H. glycines were found on Bryan. However, H. glycines and M. incognita population densities were greater than P. penetrans on G88-20092 and Tracy M. Growth of Tracy M infected by H. glycines and M. incognita and growth of G88-20092 infected by M. incognita decreased in Experiment III. Pratylenchus penetrans did not affect plant growth. Reduction in plant growth differed according to the particular nematode species and cultivar, indicating that nematodes other than the species for which resistance is targeted can have different effects on cultivars of the same crop species.

Population Changes in Heterodera glycines and Its Bacterial Parasite Pasteuria sp. in Naturally Infested Soil

A two-year soil sampling study was conducted on four microplots naturally infested with Heterodera glycines and an undescfibed species of Pasteuria. The objectives of the study were to investigate the population dynamics of both organisms and to assess the potential of Pasteuria sp. as a biological control agent of H. glycines. Seasonal fluctuations were observed in numbers of cysts, eggs per cyst, second-stage juveniles (J2) of H. glycines, number of Pasteuria endospores attached per J2, and percentages of endospore-encumbered J2. Percentages of endospore-encumbered J2, Y, increased with the mean numbers of endospores per J2, X, according to the equation Y = 87.0(1 - e(-0.53X)). In contrast, numbers of J2 per 250 cm(3) soil, Y, decreased with the numbers of endospores per J2, X, according to the exponential decay model Y= 67.4 + 220.1e(-1.2X). The equilibrium J2 density (67.4 +/- 3.3) derived from this function was consistent with the predictions of the Lotka-Volterra model of population dynamics based on the equation 0.0195ln(y) - 0.000336y = 0.000049x - 0.00285ln(x) + 0.06589, where x and y represent the biweekly means of J2 densities and the percentages of endospore-encumbered J2, respectively. In all cases, predicted equilibrium densities of J2 were below the damage threshold reported from field studies. These results indicate that, given sufficient time following introduction into a field, Pasteuria may increase to levels that would be effective as one component in an integrated pest management proglmn to control H. glycines.

Effect of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) on Yield of Resistant and Susceptible Soybean Cultivars Grown in Ohio

Soybean (Glycine max) producers in Ohio rarely use soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN)-resistant cultivars because of concerns over limited yield potential and lack of resistance to Phytophthora sojae. A two-year study was initiated to determine grain yield and nematode population increase on soybean cyst nematode-resistant cultivars in maturity groups II and III in production fields. Sites differed in soil texture, nematode densities, and P. sojae infestation at a number of locations in Ohio. Soil was assayed for nematode densities before planting and at harvest. Yields of resistant cultivars averaged 0% to 18% higher than those of susceptible cultivars in fine-textured soils with average preplant populations ranging from 463 to 14,330 SCN eggs/100 cm(3) soil. In coarse-textured soils, yields of susceptible cultivars were 21% to 56% less than the resistant cultivars with average preplant densities ranging from 1,661 to 15,558 SCN eggs/100 cm(3) soil. The reproductive index ranged from 0.1 to 5.5 for resistant cultivars and 0.4 to 112 for susceptible cultivars. In 1993, yield of P. sojae-susceptible, nematode-resistant 'Asgrow A 3431' was as high as yield of the P. sojae-resistant, nematode-susceptible cultivar 'Resnik' in a Phytophthora-infested field. The nematode-resistant cultivars Madison Experimental 131527 and Asgrow A3431 had higher yields than AgVenture AV1341 and susceptible cultivars Resnik and Kenwood when compared over five nematode-infested sites. Nematode-resistant cultivars were found to be excellent alternatives to currently grown susceptible cultivars for managing SCN where group III cultivars are used. However, better cultivar alternatives may be needed for sites with combined Phytophthora root rot and cyst nematode problems.

Soil Moisture Control and Direct Seeding for Bioassay of Heterodera glycines on Soybean

Soil moisture control during evaluations of Heterodera glycines-Glycine max interactions has not been reported routinely as a standardized procedure. A novel soil moisture replacement system was examined in controlled environmental chambers for use in bioassays for female development. The system is compact, lightweight, and has a contained reservoir for moisture supply to multiple test units. Varied soil moisture treatment levels were sustained at or near replacement rates over extended periods of testing. Direct seeding of selected soybean cultivars consistently resulted in 100% seed germination. Subsequent shoot and root growth was successfully restricted to accommodate the size of the system with minimal shoot pruning. Numbers of mature H. glycines females extracted from the roots of susceptible soybean cultivars were consistently high. Inoculum levels of either 500 or 1,000 eggs/plant routinely resulted in numbers of females at more than 30% of the initial inoculum. No evidence of nematode contamination of uninfested plants was found at any level of observation. Results demonstrate a potential for the standardization of two additional variables in determining races and for screening cultivars or lines for resistance to H. glycines.

Tannic Acid Effects on Hatching of Heterodera glycines in Vitro

Effects of tannic acid on hatching of Heterodera glycines eggs were determined in vitro using three batches of eggs obtained from greenhouse cultures in Florida or from naturally infested field soil in Minnesota. A quadratic model fits the percentage egg hatch. Hatch increased with increasing tannic acid concentrations from 0 to about 39 mg/liter, then declined with further increases in concentration. Tannic acid did not induce hatching of dormant eggs obtained from the field.

Nematicidal Activity of Fatty Acid Esters on Soybean Cyst and Root-knot Nematodes

Researchers have indicated that the C fatty acid, pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid), has considerable nematicidal activity that could be increased by derivitization and improved emulsification. Microemulsions of methyl and ethylene glycol esters of pelargonic acid developed by Mycogen Corporation (San Diego, CA) were tested for nematicidal activity against root-knot and soybean cyst nematodes. All treamaents were compared to a deionized water control and a microemulsion "blank" (minus active ingredient). Methyl pelargonate reduced gall numbers at concentrations >/=0.8 mul a.i./liter, and ethylene glycol pelargonate reduced gall numbers at >/=6.4 mul a.i./liter in a laboratory bioassay of Meloidogyne javanica on roots of tomato seedlings. Microscopic observation of treated M. javanica second-stage juveniles suggested that methyl pelargonate was toxic to nematodes at concentrations as low as 0.2 mul a.i./liter. Cysts of Heterodera glycines per gram of root were significantly reduced by weekly soil drenches of methyl pelargonate at 6.4, 3.2, and 1.6 mul a.i./liter compared to controls in one greenhouse experiment. Weekly soil drenches of methyl pelargonate at 4.8 or 3.2 mu1 a.i./liter also significantly reduced the number of eggs produced by M. incognita on soybean in a greenhouse test. In both greenhouse tests with soybean, rates of methyl pelargonate >/=4.8 mul a.i./liter had considerable phytotoxicity. No significant interaction of chemical treatment and different soil mixtures affected the nematode numbers produced or plant vigor observed. Soil drenches with microemulsions of methyl pelargonate at 3.2 mul a.i./liter applied weekly, or as two initial applications, were effective as a nematicide for root-knot and soybean cyst nematodes with negligible effects on plant vigor.