Nematode population attrition and histopathology of Heterodera glycines-soybean associations

Selected populations of soybean cyst nematodes were inoculated to roots of compatible and incompatible soybeans. Rates of penetration of infective juveniles of nematode populations selected on PI 209332, PI 89772, and Pickett 71 were equivalent on compatible and incompatible soybean roots. The first two populations averaged about 10% and the last about 5% penetration in 24-hour inoculations of young seedlings. About 14% of those juveniles that entered roots in compatible combinations developed into maturing females, compared with only about 1% in incompatible combinations. Several aberrations from the pattern of syncytial development associated with mature females in compatible hosts were apparent. A rapid necrotic response occurred in both kinds of hosts but was more frequent in incompatible associations. Delayed necrosis and small syncytia were present in some combinations. Those few females that developed in incompatible soybeans were associated with a characteristic syncytium different from the kind seen in roots of compatible hosts.