Registration of ‘N7003CN’ Maturity‐Group‐VII Soybean with High Yield and Resistance to Race 2 (HG Type 1.2.5.7‐) Soybean Cyst Nematode

Abstract

‘N7003CN’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV‐502, PI 661157) was developed and released by the USDA‐ARS in 2010. It is a high‐yielding, maturity‐group (MG) VII, nontransgenic soybean cultivar adapted to the southeastern USA (30–37° N latitude). N7003CN is the first publicly released MG‐VII soybean that is resistant to race 2 (HG type 1.2.5.7) of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe). Race 2 is the dominant type of SCN in North Carolina. N7003CN is also resistant to races 1 and 14 (HG types 2.3‐ and 1.3.5.6.7, respectively), is moderately resistant to races 4 and 5 (HG types 1.2.3.5.6‐ and 2.5.7‐, respectively), and appears to have partial resistance to race 3 (HG type 5.7). Molecular analysis of N7003CN identified SSR markers associated with SCN resistance genes rhg1, Rhg4, and Rhg5. During 2005–2009 in USDA Uniform Soybean Tests, N7003CN yielded 11 and 2% more than the SCN‐susceptible control cultivars ‘Haskell RR’ and ‘N7002’, respectively (46 environments). During 2005–2009 in the North Carolina State University Official Variety Trials (OVT), the yield of N7003CN was equivalent to that of the SCN‐susceptible control cultivar, ‘NC‐Raleigh’. NC‐Raleigh was the highest‐yielding MG‐VII entry in the OVT. The unusual combination of high yield and SCN race‐2 resistance in group‐VII maturity makes this cultivar potentially desirable for conventional and organic production and as breeding stock for commercial breeding.