Evaluation of Northern-Grown Crops as Hosts of Soybean Cyst Nematode

Abstract

Sixty-two cultivars/varieties of thirteen crops grown in the northern Great Plains were evaluated for suitability as hosts of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) (HG type 0) using soybean Lee 74 as the susceptible host. “Cone-tainers” with autoclaved sand were infested with 2,000 eggs placed into a 2-cm × 1-cm hole and then a 3-day-old germinated seed was placed in the hole. “Cone-tainers” were placed in sand in plastic pots immersed in a water bath at 27°C in the greenhouse. Plants were harvested after 30 days, and females were extracted and counted. A female index (FI = the average number of females on the test plant divided by the average number of females on soybean Lee 74 times 100) was calculated for each cultivar to assess host suitability to the nematode. FI's ≥ 10 indicated a suitable host. Canola, clover, lentil, and sunflower were nonhosts (no evidence of reproduction), while borage, camelina, chickpea, crambe, cuphea, field pea, nyjer, and safflower were poor hosts for SCN with FI's less than 8. Lupines were the only suitable host with FI's of 42 to 57. This is the first report of reproduction of SCN on chickpea, crambe, cuphea, and nyjer. Accepted for publication 2 December 2009. Published 15 March 2010.