1. In the past year, Southern Illinois University has released 2 SDS Group IV resistant varieties. University of Arkansas released two Group V resistant varieties and Iowa State University released two SDS resistant varieties and MTAs have been provided at the request of interested private companies. All 3 breeding programs in IL, AR and IA have advanced lines under evaluation for future potential release.
2. In collaboration with SDS-AFRI/USDA research at Iowa, 19 plant introduction lines were identified as highly resistant to SDS, and represent a new source of resistance and raw material to be tested in the breeding programs.
3. The number of MTAs has not been specified in any report or communications.
4. At Illinois, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SDS resistance have been identified and published, based on a high density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) map developed from a population of three recombinant inbred lines (RIL) segregating for SDS. Additionally, the USDA/AFRI group have mapped a QTL that describes 40% (which is significant) of the genetic variation due to tolerance to the toxin produced by the SDS pathogen.
Additional research has been accomplished beyond the KPIs specified and these accomplishments are listed below:
5. At Iowa, a strain of the toxin (responsible for foliar symptoms) carrying the virulent FvTox1 gene was developed that can lead to its use as a screening tool. Also, several soybean proteins were identified that interact with the FvTox1 toxin of the pathogen that could lead to means to disarm the pathogen in the plant.
6. The IL group has uncovered a very general mechanism that may explain genetic resistance within the soybean plant.
7. Studies to determine the association of K fertilization (AR) or level of SCN (IA) with SDS have not shown a consistent interaction.