Poster: Biology & Disease Mgmt: Integrated Pest Mgmt

805-P

Seed treatment with multiple rhizobacterial strains promotes soybean growth and suppresses reproduction of soybean cyst nematode in the field
L. CHEN (1), Y. Zhou (2), Y. Wang (2), X. Zhu (2), R. Liu (2), P. Xiang (3), J. Chen (4), X. Liu (2), Y. Duan (2) (1) Shenyang Agricultural University, Ithaca, NY, China; (2) Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Other, China; (3) Heihe Branch, Heil

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN) is the most damaging pathogen of soybean (Glycine max) worldwide. Seed coating with nematicides or biological control agents represent a valuable method for controlling nematode pests. Here, we presented the study that evaluated the effects of combining three rhizobacterial strains, including Sinarhizobium fredii, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus simplex, as a seed treatment on SCN control and soybean yield enhancement under greenhouse and field conditions in northeast China. An optimal formulation consisting of different proportion of the above three rhizobacterial strains was determined based on the results of the germination vigor of the coated soybean seeds and subsequently designated as SN101. SN101 coated soybean seeds were then used in greenhouse studies and field trials conducted in two field locations for a period of three years. After each growing season, SCN reproduction was determined by nematode egg and cyst numbers and soybean growth and yield were also evaluated. Our results showed that SN101 treatment greatly inhibited SCN reproduction and significantly promoted plant growth and yield production in both greenhouse and field trials, suggesting that SN101 is a promising seed-coating agent that may be used as an alternative tool for controlling SCN in soybean fields.