2014
Effect of biochar amendments on soybean root disease potential caused by Fusarium viguliforme
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Iowa Soybean Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
Effect of biochar amendment on soybean root disease potential caused by Fusarium virguliforme and Phytophthora sojae
Lead Principal Investigator:
Natalia Rogovska, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Iowa Soybean Association
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
Iowa State University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

This project continues research on the potential of soil biochar applications to suppress fungal disease in soybeans caused by F. virguliforme infestations. The overall goal of this research is to determine whether soil biochar amendments have the ability to mitigate soybean yield loss caused by F. virguliforme under field conditions and to advance our understanding about the possible mechanisms of disease suppression by biochar.

Unique Keywords:
#biochar, #soybean diseases, #sudden death syndrome (sds)
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

Two small plot experiments were established in Central Iowa at the Agronomy & Ag Engineering and Bruner research Farms. Hardwood biochar was purchased from a commercial producer (Royal Oak) and applied at the rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t/acre.

A series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments was conducted in order to understand the mechanism responsible for SDS suppression by biochar. As previously observed in our studies suppressive effect of biochar on SDS disease severity can be attributed to systemic acquired resistance (SAR) induced by organic chemicals present in biochar, or by direct inhibition of germination, reproduction and survival rates of Fusarium virguliforme.

A laboratory experiment examined the direct effect of water-soluble chemical compounds leached from biochar on growth of F. virguliforme. The biochar extracts had no effect on spore germination compared to the water control. A greenhouse experiment is currently underway in order to evaluate the effect of organic or inorganic compounds released from biochar as potential inducers of SAR using a split-root technique.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.