BMC Genomics featured a study led by Luis Posadas Martinez, research assistant professor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, in a special issue on May 28, 2025.
The study, titled “A tritrophic plant-insect-pathogen system used to develop a closely linked Rag2 and Rsv1‑h recombinant haplotype in double-resistant soybean germplasm,” explored the relationship between soybeans, soybean aphids and soybean mosaic virus to genetically create a soybean line that more effectively resists soybean aphids and soybean mosaic virus.
Soybean mosaic virus and soybean aphids, common carriers of the virus, are detrimental pests to soybean production, and they have only grown more problematic for soybeans over time as they have evolved together. But soybeans have evolved a defense mechanism to protect themselves from these pests – R-genes. The Rag2 gene, which resists soybean aphids, and the Rsv1 gene, which resists soybean mosaic virus, are both found on chromosome 13 within the soybean.
Martinez and his team leveraged their knowledge about this plant-insect-pathogen system to create a genetically unique soybean line with superior resistance against soybean aphids and soybean mosaic virus. They assert their research is the first to use a plant-insect-pathogen system to develop double-resistant Rag2-Rsv1-h soybean genetic material.
The unique recombined soybean genotype that Martinez and his team created will be useful in breeding soybeans that are resistant to soybean aphids and the soybean mosaic virus. The parent and recombined genotypes used in the study will also provide a solid basis for future studies that seek to answer questions about carrier, plant host and virus relationships.
