P-440 - Spatiotemporal Characterization of Pennsylvania Root Lesion Nematodes with the Surrounding Soil Microbiome

Plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.), are a pervasive issue in agriculture. Since 2018, root lesion nematodes have been found in 83% of sampled Pennsylvania fields (n=927) across 52 counties. Root lesion nematodes cause significant yield losses in soybeans by inducing necrotic root lesions, often serving as entry points for secondary bacterial and fungal infections and exacerbating disease severity. However, lesion nematodes remain relatively understudied in plant disease systems despite their abundance and potential for damage. Our research aims to improve the understanding of the threat posed by root lesion nematodes in Pennsylvania soybean production systems, including how they impact soil microbiomes. This study characterizes the soil microbiome using 16S, 18S, and ITS rRNA sequencing to understand the role of Pratylenchus spp. within the soil community and how their role changes from the beginning to the end of a soybean growing season. We collected 10 bulk soil samples from four farms across two time points for a total of 80 samples. Correlating microbiome data with lesion nematode abundance from these samples will provide insight into how lesion nematodes interact with abiotic and biotic factors in the field. The results of this project will increase our understanding of how root lesion nematodes contribute to soybean production systems. Additionally, the study will provide the framework for developing more effective management strategies to improve soybean production.