The purpose of this project is to mitigate soybean root diseases in Kansas. Therefore, the objectives and methods will be to (1) Discover resistance to fungal pathogens: SDS, Fusarium diseases, and charcoal rot through the use of high-throughput pathogenicity assays and field tests; (2) Evaluate management strategies for fungal pathogens: SDS, Fusarium diseases, and charcoal rot with emphasis on cover crops and testing fluopyram, a widespread fungicide; and (3) Assess the impact of a re-emerging root pathogen, Phytophthora sojae, in southeastern Kansas through the collection of isolates, testing agains commonly used fungicides, and establishing race information for this pathogen.

1. Discover resistance to fungal diseases: SDS, Fusarium diseases, and charcoal rot.
2. Evaluate management strategies for fungal diseases: SDS and Fusarium diseases.
3. Assess the impact of re-emerging root pathogens: Phytophthora sojae in southeastern KS.

(1) Identification of breeding lines, PIs, and commercial varieties with resistance to SDS, Fusarium root rot/seedling disease, and charcoal rot.
(2) Determine the effectiveness of management strategies, esp. the use of Brassica juncea cover crops on SDS and Fusarium root and seedling disease control.
(3) Develop a SEK Phyotophthora sojae that can be evaluated.
(4) Results obtained during the proposed studies (and subsequently repeated experiments) will be published in recognized scholarly journals.
(5) Useful information from these studies will be incorporated into future Kansas Research and Extension publications such as new and revised plant pathology fact sheet(s), new and/or revised crop production support guide(s), and Agronomy eUpdates.
(6) We will communicate these results to producers and stakeholders when extension personnel associated with the Department of Plant Pathology and KSRE that give presentations, training sessions and field days.
(7) Results will also be communicated on a regular basis on the K-State Radio Network program, Agriculture Today.

Update:
See attached fall report.

View uploaded report

Updated July 23, 2024:
Summary: This report outlines efforts from Year 2 of the project, addressing significant losses due to soybean root diseases like SDS, Fusarium diseases, charcoal rot, and Phytophthora root rot, which averaged 7.8% of production annually from 2012 to 2020. The Row Crops Pathology Lab has spearheaded research into these issues, focusing on discovering plant resistance, developing management strategies, and generating new disease insights to boost long-term yields and profitability for Kansas soybean producers. Key objectives include discovering resistance in soybean germplasm through innovative methods like rolled-towel, layer-cake, and seed-plate assays. These assays aim to identify resistance to SDS, Fusarium diseases, and charcoal rot efficiently in controlled environments, reducing reliance on field studies prone to environmental factors. Initial results show promise, particularly in identifying resistance reactions through culture filtrate/toxin assays, crucial for assessing susceptibility to SDS and other pathogens. Management strategies are also under scrutiny, with studies evaluating the effectiveness of Brassica juncea cover crops against fungal pathogens. However, challenges like crop failures in southeast Kansas have hindered progress in this area. Additionally, research into fungicide effectiveness against pathogens like F. virguliforme and F. proliferatum has highlighted varying levels of susceptibility among isolates, suggesting nuanced approaches to treatment. The project also addresses re-emerging threats like Phytophthora sojae in southeastern Kansas, where efforts include isolating and characterizing pathogen strains and assessing their response to fungicides. Mixed infections involving Diaporthe, Fusarium, and Phytophthora have been observed, complicating disease management strategies. Overall, the report underscores ongoing efforts to mitigate soybean root diseases in Kansas through rigorous research, emphasizing the importance of resistance breeding, effective management practices, and targeted fungicide use to safeguard soybean yields against a range of devastating pathogens.


See attached PDF for more detailed information and figures.

View uploaded report

From 2012 to 2020, SDS, Fusarium diseases, charcoal rot, and Phytophthora root rot cost Kansas soybean farmers an average of 7.8% of production per year. Through past KSC support, the Row Crops Pathology Lab at KSU has taken a leadership role in soybean root health research with an emphasis on diseases. Our priorities are the discovery of plant resistance, management strategies, and new disease information to help Kansas producers increase their yields and profits over the long-term.