Update:
Project Overview - What key activities were undertaken and what were the key accomplishments during the life of this project?
Estimates of soybean yield losses caused by diseases for the 2015 season were received from university and extension personnel from 20 states. The estimates were compiled and summarized. Overall, the estimated soybean yield loss due to diseases in 2015 was over 458 million bushels. The top diseases/pathogens causing these losses, in order were: soybean cyst nematode (over 109 million bushels), seedling disease complex (over 62 million bushels), sudden death syndrome (over 43 million bushels), Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold) (over 40 million bushels), and “Other diseases” (a category made up of several other diseases including Phyllosticta leaf spot, Phymatotrichopsis root rot, Pythium root rot, red crown rot, taproot decline, and target spot) (over 37 million bushels).
Deliverables - List each deliverable and indicate whether or not it was supplied and if not supplied, please provide an explanation as to why.
Deliverable: A compilation of estimates of soybean yield suppression caused by diseases in the U.S. in 2015 will be developed.
Deliverable supplied: The soybean disease loss estimates for the 2015 season were compiled and made available to the public (via emails to key stakeholders and industry groups). In addition, a Crop Protection Network (CPN) publication is currently in press that will be posted for all of the public to be able to see the results.
Did this project meet the intended Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)? List each KPI and describe progress made (or not made) toward addressing it, including metrics where appropriate.
KPI 1 – Dr. Bradley will have collected these estimates from pathologists in the “northern” region by the end of the second quarter of the project.
Progress: This KPI was completed.
KPI 2 – Dr. Allen will have collected these estimates from pathologists in the “southern” region by the ed of the second quarter of the project.
Progress: This KPI was completed.
KPI 3 – Drs. Bradley and Allen will have the 2015 data summarized and made available to the public by then end of the project.
Progress: This KPI was completed by sending the soybean yield loss estimates to key stakeholders and industry groups. However, a Crop Protection Network publication will be posted so that the data are available to all of the public. This publication is currently “in press” and will be posted as soon as it is finalized.
What, if any, follow-on steps are required to capture benefits for all US soybean farmers? Describe in a few sentences how the results of this project will be or should be used.
The results of this project have been used annually since 1996 by commodity and industry groups in prioritizing soybean disease research. The results of this project have been the basis for driving soybean disease research for many years, and nearly all important stakeholder and industry groups are aware of this long-term dataset. Perhaps, additional attention (news releases, etc.) could help make additional stakeholders aware of the project and its usefulness for research priorities decision-making.
Describe any unforeseen events or circumstances that may have affected project timeline, costs, or deliverables.
None.
List any relevant performance metrics not captured in KPI’s.
An article soon will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal that summarizes the U.S. soybean disease loss estimates from 2010 to 2014.