Date of Award
12-1-2015
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Molecular Biology Microbiology and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Bhaumik, Sukesh
Second Advisor
Lightfoot, David
Abstract
It is widely known that Glycine max L. Merr., commonly known as soybean is one of the major agricultural crops in the United States and is an agricultural crop in other countries as well. Yet, the yearly yield of soybean is not as high as can be expected due to Heterodera glycines Ichinole, or soybean cyst nematode (later, SCN). SCN is one of the most destructive pests and pathogens of soybean and the main methods for control have proven to be problematic and time-consuming so far (Koenning 2000; UIPC 2015). Lineages of soybean that are resistant to SCN have been developed but it is yet unknown what the cause of this resistance is. Rgh1 and Rhg4 loci are two main loci that are considered when talking about resistance and Rhg4 locus, while required for resistance to SCN race 3, has not been fully mapped. Focusing on the Rhg4 locus, this study was aimed at uncovering the potential causes of resistance of soybean to SCN. In mapping the Rhg4 locus, we found nine genes, some of which could be candidates for causing and regulating resistance and a large intergenic region that could have key regulatory elements in it.
Access
This thesis is Open Access and may be downloaded by anyone.