UW Soybean Plant Health
The HG Type test (HG for Heterodera glycines, the scientific name for soybean cyst nematode) is a greenhouse test performed on a SCN population from a field to determine how well the SCN population can develop on soybean lines that were used as sources of resistance for SCN-resistant soybean varieties.

SCN

Disease Cycle

Detecting SCN

What is the HG type test?

SCN-resistant soybean varieties

Managing SCN

SCN links


Why an HG Type test?
Soon after the release of resistant varieties, scientists discovered some SCN populations were capable of reproducing at high levels on resistant soybean varieties. Consequently, a race test system was developed in 1970 to assess the abilities of SCN populations to reproduce on resistant soybean varieties. The HG Type test is similar to a SCN race test, but includes only soybean lines that are sources of resistance in available SCN-resistant soybean varieties. It is a different way to describe the abilities of a SCN population to reproduce on resistant soybean varieties, and it is much easier to understand than the race test.

How does the test work?
The Plant Health Initiative website has several pages of detailed information about how the HG type test works, and how to interpret the results. View these pages»

Who needs an HG Type test?
HG Type tests are not routinely needed. However, soybean growers who have experienced sub-par performance from SCN-resistant soybean varieties in SCN-infested fields should consider having an HG Type test performed. Also, soybean growers who farm in an SCN-infested area that has had resistant soybeans grown numerous times in the past might consider having an HG Type test performed.

 


Information from this site can be copied and distributed for educational use. Please credit the source with our name and URL: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departments of Agronomy, Entomology, and Plant Pathology at  www.plantpath.wisc.edu/soyhealth.

Last update 3/07