The proposed research will improve our understanding of the perceived and actual impact of stem diseases and insect pests on soybean production in IL. It will also help identify new and emerging pathogens and pests that could affect soybean production in IL. The generated information would be crucial to direct and prioritize future research targeting the management of these pathogens and pests in IL.
Proposed outcomes - The proposed research will improve our understanding of stem diseases' perceived and actual impact on soybean production in Illinois. It will also help identify the major and most impactful pathogens that cause these diseases in IL. More specifically, this proposed research will:
1. Monitor the incidence and spread of red crown rot in Illinois. This will help elucidate the importance of this pathogen in Illinois and whether this disease is expanding in the state.
Determine what fungal species cause stem canker in Illinois. This information is essential to manage the disease and use adequate management tools, including developing and deploying adequate sources of resistance to the pathogen.
Assess the incidence and the potential yield loss caused by Dectes stem borer in soybean production fields in Illinois.
Assess and survey Illinois soybean fields for the soybean gall midge with the purpose of early detection of this new soybean pest.
Result in building a collection of pathogens associated with stem diseases. Such collections are an invaluable resource for researchers to study the biology of these pathogens. They also permit assessing host resistance under controlled conditions.
The information generated from the proposed research will be crucial to direct and prioritize future research targeting the management of the most destructive soybean stem-diseases-causing pathogens in Illinois.