Scientists Have Identified Genetic Defense Against Soybean Cyst Nematodes

Researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) are on the verge of a breakthrough in fighting soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) as they identified a gene that confers a new mode of resistance to the parasite.

Soybean cyst nematodes cost American farmers an estimated US$2 billion in yield losses each year. Since the pest's discovery in 1954, plant scientists have worked to combat its destructive impact. Sushil Chhapekar, post-doctoral fellow in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' (CAFNR) Division of Plant Science and Technology said they are hoping that their discovery will lead to a new breakthrough in fighting CSN. Chhapekar is under the mentorship of Henry Nguyen, Mizzou professor of plant science and technology. Nguyen said that resistance from the existing mechanism is starting to break down and will continue in the next several years, which makes finding additional resistance genes crucial.

Nguyen and his team have identified an alternative genetic source that could be a new resistance mechanism. They are using gene editing techniques to express this gene to understand the genetic mechanism of SCN resistance and to develop new SCN-resistant soybean varieties. “Because we're using gene editing methods, regulatory hurdles are lower, allowing us to accelerate this critical work,” Nguyen explained. “This will expand the genetic diversity of soybean breeding pools. Eventually, we can stack this new gene with existing resistance genes to create more durable plants, making it much harder for SCN to adapt and overcome.”

For more details, read the article in CAFNR News.