Short- and long-term tillage effects on Heterodera glycines reproduction in soybean monoculture in west Tennessee

Abstract

Soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines has been documented as the pathogen most consistently causing yield loss in US soybean production fields almost since its discovery in the US. No-tillage has been adopted in much of the soybean production areas to preserve soil and nutrients. The impact of this production practice change on soybean cyst nematode has been evaluated since the introduction of the practice over thirty years ago and mixed results on the impact have been recorded. This study was initiated to determine if tillage practices and timing of changes impacted soybean cyst nematode reproduction. The study was imposed on a long-term tillage study and treatments were changed to measure short-term as well as long-term effects of tillage on soybean cyst nematode. Significant differences in soybean cyst nematode population density were found between treatments. However, significant differences found could be attributed to short-term changes in tilled and no-tilled treatments. Soybean cyst nematode reproduction was almost twice as high in treatments which changed from no-tillage to disc than tilled treatments changed to no-tillage. No significant differences were found in yield among the treatments. Grain yield was reflective of cultivar grown and environmental conditions.