Microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes (Phytophthora) cause serious soybean yield losses. Previous research developed transgenic soybeans resistant to multiple viruses through a single transgene and conducted a comprehensive survey of all viruses present in Ohio soybean fields. This project aims to further demonstrate the field performance of the virus-resistant transgenic soybean with another year of field testing, complete the virus survey, prepare a detailed distribution map for each discovered virus, optimize a virus-induced gene silencing vector based on bean pod mottle virus and adopt VIGS as a functional genomics research tool to analyze candidate genes that condition resistance to fungal and oomycete pathogens.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents, soybean breeders, seed companies