A study co-authored by an Iowa State University (ISU) professor has identified a new vulnerability in the signals that cyst nematodes- in particular, soybean cyst nematodes (SCN)- use to infect plant roots. This could prove to be a potent method for reducing damage from the parasitic worms. Thomas Baum, professor of plant pathology, entomology, and microbiology at ISU, said it’s difficult to eliminate SCN from soybean fields once it is already present.
Through this study, researchers found a single protein that cyst nematodes use to trigger chemical signals that hijack infected plants. Baum said these chemical signals are what allow cyst nematodes to feed on host plants.
Baum said the major breakthrough in this study was not only discovering but validating that protein as an SCN control target. Cyst nematodes release so many effectors that going after them is futile, but stopping the chemical communication from the nematodes prevents those effectors from working. This proof of concept opens the door to even more new nematode management discoveries.
Now, Baum said they know more than just what that switch does- they can also eliminate it to prevent those signals from happening altogether or even cause it to trigger those signals at the wrong time. And since cyst nematodes rely on those effectors early on in their life cycle, that means infection gets severely reduced.
For more information or to stay updated on the latest developments from this study, visit ppem.iastate.edu.
