Heterodera glycines and soybean in Argentina.

DOUCET, M.E; LAX, P.; CORONEL, N.

Conferencia; World Soybean Research Conference VIII.; 2009

Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), was detected on roots of several soybean varieties in different regions of Argentina at the end of 1997. Research has been conducted on some aspects of its biology as well as on the reaction of soybean varieties attacked by diverse races of the pathogen. The nematode can cause important damage under certain circumstances. However, the economic losses generated by the SCN in the country have not still been evaluated accurately. An appropriate analysis of the behavior of the host-parasite complex reported in different cultivated regions is necessary. A variety that is commercialized as resistant to the nematode in another country resulted very susceptible to a race of this pathogen. In contrast to what has been expected, density populations of H. glycines in the country are limited. Observations of cysts originated in infested zones showed the presence of soil fungi that would act as natural antagonists. Courses and outreach activities have been conducted with the aim of providing producers and agricultural technicians with information. The numerous types of soils and climates, the diverse soybean maturity groups and the special features of the Argentine H. glycines populations require further research on basic aspects of the species with the aim of transferring the results to the agricultural production sector.