Heterodera glycines-Induced Syncytium Structures Related to the Nematode Growth and Reproduction in Susceptible Soybean Cultivars

The production of soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, including female formation and fecundity was much higher in SCN race 14 (R14) than in race 3 (R3) in susceptible soybean cultivars Bragg (intolerant), Lee74 (moderately tolerant), and PI 97100 (highly tolerant). The nematode body was also significantly larger in R14 than in R3 at 20 days after inoculation, but the further nematode growth appeared to be slower in R14 than in R3, resulting in no significant difference between the two races at 30 days after inoculation. Within each race, no significant difference was observed in the growth and reproduction among the soybean cultivars tested. Syncytial areas near the nematode lip regions (infection sites) were measured for each soybean cultivar-SCN race combination. R14 induced significantly larger syncytia than R3. Bragg had relatively larger syncytia than Lee74 and PI 97100, but the difference among the soybean cultivars was minimal or not significantly different. Syncytium occupation in the stelar region differed only between PI 97100 and the other two cultivars, which may be somewhat, but not exactly, related to tolerance levels. Syncytial cytomplasm was degenerated more with R14 and in Bragg than with R3 and in Lee74 and PI 97100, respectively. In light microscopy, degenerated syncytia were characterized by depleted and loose cytoplasm with less plastids than normal-looking (intact) syncytia which had dense syncytial cytoplasm. Electron microscopy revealed that degenerated syncytia contained highly vacuolated cytoplasm with degenerated plastids. The above results suggest that structural characteristics of syncytia may match the nematode growth and reproduction.