2016
Biology and control of Sclerotinia stem rot of soybean
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Central Soybean Research Program
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Biotic stressCrop protectionField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Mehdi Kabbage, University of Wisconsin
Co-Principal Investigators:
Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
Martin Chilvers, Michigan State University
Sydney Everhart, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin
+3 More
Project Code:
187452
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Central Soybean Research Program
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
University of Wisconsin
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen with a worldwide distribution, causing disease on over 400 plant species and up to $252M in losses per year on sunflower, soybeans, dry edible beans, canola, and pulse crops (U.S. Canola Association, 2014). S. sclerotiorum causes considerable damage to soybean and has proven difficult to control (culturally or chemically), with host resistance to this fungus being mostly inadequate. In the temperate north central soybean production areas of the United States, Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) can be a significant yield limiting disease, with reported losses more than 10 million bushels (270 million kg) per year (Peltier et al., 2012). These impacts...

Unique Keywords:
#disease prediction, #insects and pests, #resistance, #sclerotinia sclerotiorum, #soybean diseases, #ssr, #white mold
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Objective 1:
• Determine efficacy of fungicidal and antimicrobial products (including recently identified antifungal formulations) in limiting SSR. (Year 1-3)
• Clearly define the effect climatic conditions on predicting fungicide application. (Year 1-3)
• Develop ROI estimates for fungicides tested in this objective. (Year 3)
Objective 2:
• Identify soybean NADPH oxidases and determine their expression levels in response to S. sclerotiorum (Year 1-2)
• Determine that soybean NADPH oxidases are suitable targets to confer resistance to SSR (Year 2-3).
• Generate transgenic plants silenced in specific NADPH oxidases and evaluate their performance against a range of biotic and abiotic stresses (Year 3).
• Results of this research objective will be summarized in a manuscript that will be submitted for publication in a relevant peer-reviewed scientific journal, and shared with stakeholders through extension activities (Year 3).
Objective 3:
• Identifying S. sclerotiorum outbreaks with decreased fungicide sensitivity (a minimum of 10 isolates in ten field locations per state will be analyzed each year). Results will be broadly disseminated and reported directly to growers and with an Google Fusion interactive map of counties with outbreaks and whether fungicide resistance is detected (individual field locations will not be disclosed) (Year 1-3)
• Whole genome sequencing will be performed on isolates exhibiting genomic change (as indicated by SSR / AFLP analysis conducted in year 1) and those with induced resistance. Results of SSR/AFLP analysis will be submitted for publication. (Year 2)
• Compilation of fungicide sensitivity data and trends will be performed. Bioinformatic pipelines will be developed for genomic data analysis. Preliminary data will be used to seek additional funding for this project.
Objective 4:
• Develop return on investment (ROI) estimates for sclerotinia stem rot management strategies (Year 1-3)
• Annual educational videos, and extension reports related to sclerotinia stem rot and its management in the North Central region will be developed. (Year 1-3)
• A feature article will be generated using the most current information as a result of this coordinated effort. (Year 3)

Final Project Results

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.