Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne graminicola are root-knot nematodes (RKNs) infecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots and severely decreasing yield, whose mechanisms of action remain unclear. We investigated RKN invasion and development in rice roots through RNA-seq transcriptome analysis. The results showed that 952 and 647 genes were differently expressed after 6 (invasion stage) and 18 (development stage) days post inoculation, respectively. Gene annotation showed that the differentially expressed genes were classified into diverse metabolic and stress response categories. Furthermore, phytohormone, transcription factor, redox signaling, and defense response pathways were enriched upon RKN infection. RNA-seq validation using qRT-PCR confirmed that CBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) genes (CIPK5, 8, 9, 11, 14, 23, 24, and 31) as well as brassinosteroid (BR)-related genes (OsBAK1, OsBRI1, D2, and D11) were altered by RKN infection. Analysis of the CIPK9 mutant and overexpressor indicated that the RKN populations were smaller in cipk9 and larger in CIPK9 OX, while more galls were produced in CIPK9 OX plant roots than the in wild-type roots. Significantly fewer numbers of second-stage infective juveniles (J2s) were observed in the plants expressing the BR biosynthesis gene D2 mutant and the BR receptor BRI1 activation-tagged mutant (bri1-D), and fewer galls were observed in bri1-D roots than in wild-type roots. The roots of plants expressing the regulator of ethylene signaling ERS1 (ethylene response sensor 1) mutant contained higher numbers of J2s and developed more galls compared with wild-type roots, suggesting that these signals function in RKN invasion or development. Our findings broaden our understanding of rice responses to RKN invasion and provide useful information for further research on RKN defense mechanisms.

Knowledge about virulent phenotypes of Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, 1952 (soybean cyst nematode, SCN) is essential for breeding resistant cultivars and managing this nematode. Heilongjiang Province is the major soybean-producing region in China. SCN has been reported in 63 regions in Heilongjiang Province. To determine the prevalence and virulence of phenotypes of SCN, 112 soil samples were collected from soybean fields throughout the province in 2015. SCN was detected in 62 (55.4%) of these samples, with population densities ranging from 150 to 41,750 eggs and juveniles per 100 cm³ of soil. Eleven HG types, namely HG 0, 1.2.3.5.7, 1.2.3.7, 1.3.4.7, 1.3.7, 2, 2.5.7, 2.7, 6, 6.7, and 7, were detected. The percentages of SCN populations with female indices greater than 10 ranged from 4.8% for PI 437654 to 64.5% for PI 548316. This is the first report of seven of the HG types from Heilongjiang. These results provide guidance for breeding efforts and control strategies to combat SCN.