Detect and characterize mycovirus(es) (fungal viruses) and confirm their effect on their fungal host, Arkansas fungus-18 (ARF-18), a biocontrol agent for the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This knowledge will be used to alter fungal physiology as the fungus sporulates. This will make ARF-18 propagation to commercial-scale feasible. A successful biocontrol agent such as ARF-18 can be the ultimate weapon against SCN. The fungus was discovered 20 years ago and although it has shown great potential as a biocontrol agent, its inability to sporulate has minimized that potential. If the fungus sterility is caused by mycovirus(es) as predicted, the ability to eliminate the virus(es) can ultimately...
Unique Keywords:
#nematodes