This project was funded by the KSPB grant program in 2019-2020, which allowed us to obtain exciting data related to the use of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma in regulating soybean growth and development as well as response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our work has identified plant produced chemicals that can provide pathogen resistance and abiotic tolerance in soybean. In addition, we showed that Trichoderma positively regulates Rhizobia-mediated nitrogen fixation. A patent application involving the use of a recently discovered RNA molecule to improve biotic resistance has been filed. Funding is requested for an additional year to complete the field trials using Trichoderma and to develop the patented RNA molecule for field trial testing. The overall goal of this research project is to increase profitability of soybean production by simultaneously increasing yield as well as tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses.

The overall goal of this research project is to increase profitability of soybean production by simultaneously enhancing yield as well as tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Work related to last year's project has identified a novel chemical and a highly conserved RNA molecule that can provide pathogen resistance in soybean. A patent application involving the use of this recently discovered RNA molecule in improving crop resistance has been filed. The RNA molecule is also required for resistance induced by the beneficial fungus Trichoderma. Funding is requested for an additional year to complete the field trial work and characterizing Trichoderma-induced pathogen resistance. This is important for maximizing the application of the biocontrol agent in soybean production. Our goal is to develop a robust application of Trichoderma and the identified chemicals for increasing soybean productivity.

The overall goal of this research project is to increase profitability of soybean production by
simultaneously enhancing yield as well as tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Our
results show that in soybean, the growth benefits of Trichoderma koningiopsis(T-51) infection
function additively with those of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Additionally, T-51 infection
enhances nodulation in soybean and induces foliar (systemic) disease resistance in soybean,
Arabidopsis, tobacco and tomato. This is similar to the foliar disease resistance induced by
root exposure to incompatible rhizobia in soybean. We further show that the signaling
pathways activated in response to T-51 and incompatible rhizobia overlap significantly with
pathogen induced systemic immunity.