Evaluation of soybean for resistance to Neohyadatothrips variabilis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) noninfected and infected with soybean vein necrosis virus

Authors: Lagos-Kutz, Doris; PAWLOWSKI, MICHELLE - University Of Illinois; HAUDENSHIELD, JAMES - Former ARS Employee; HAN, JAEYENONG - University Of Illinois; Domier, Leslie; Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2019
Publication Date: 12/4/2019
Citation: Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Pawlowski, M.L., Haudenshield, J.S., Han, J., Domier, L.L., Hartman, G.L. 2019. Evaluation of soybean for resistance to Neohyadatothrips variabilis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) noninfected and infected with soybean vein necrosis virus. Journal of Economic Entomology. 113(2):949-955. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz318.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz318

Interpretive Summary: In the Midwest, the most common species of thrips in soybean fields and in suction traps located close to fields are soybean thrips. These thrips are considered the most efficient vector of soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV) which also is widely found on soybeans grown in the Midwest. The objective of our study was to determine if soybean genotypes have any inherent resistance to soybean thrips. In this study, 18 soybean genotypes were evaluated in four experiments by infesting plants with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips using choice and no-choice assays. In both choice experiments with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips, the lowest reproduction of thrips occurred on plant introductions 229358 and 604464 while soybean cultivars Williams 82 and Williamsfield Illini 3590N supported higher reproduction of thrips. In both no-choice experiments with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips, counts of thrips did not differ by soybean genotype. Further studies are needed to characterize the inheritance and mechanisms involved in the type of resistance found in the choice assay. This information is important to those working with insect resistance in soybean and other crops. This information could lead to the development of soybean cultivars with resistance to thrips, help reduce the use of insecticides to kill thrips, and may result in a decrease of SVNV that is vectored by the thrips.

Technical Abstract: Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV) of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was first identified in Arkansas and Tennessee in 2008 and is now known to be widespread in the USA and Canada. Multiple species of thrips transmit this and other tospoviruses with Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach) (soybean thrips) cited as the most efficient vector for SVNV. In this study, 18 soybean genotypes were evaluated in four experiments by infesting plants with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips using choice and no-choice assays. In both choice experiments with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips, the lowest number of immature (larvae, pro-pupa and pupae) soybean thrips occurred on plant introductions (PIs) 229358 and 604464 while cultivars Williams 82 and Williamsfield Illini 3590N supported higher counts of thrips. The counts between the two assays (non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips) were positively correlated (r = 0.704; P < 0.001). In both no-choice experiments with non-infected and SVNV-infected thrips, counts of thrips did not differ (P > 0.05) by soybean genotypes. Further studies are needed to characterize the inheritance and mechanisms involved in this antixenosis type of resistance found in the choice assay.