2023
Confirmation and molecular description of disease suppressive bacteria discovered in the Williams L
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Virginia Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Mark Williams, Virginia Tech
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
931
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Virginia Soybean Board
$5,455
Institution Funded:
Virginia Tech
$5,455
Brief Project Summary:
The project’s main objective is to describe the soybean disease suppressing (Patent 2252VT) capacity of a Pseudomonas spp. isolated from healthy soybean roots and nodules, and to determine the molecular components of that disease resistance capacity to assess their value to farmers. This research uses knowledge of "good" mutualistic microbes to fight off pathogenic microbes. It seeks to understand the breadth of its ability to suppress different diseases and to describe the mechanisms and molecules used in this suppression. This information will help determine if they can reduce soybean disease in a farmer's field. Efforts focus on major diseases, like root rot, but also aim to stop disease before it becomes a problem.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension agents, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#biologicals, #disease, #disease control, #disease management, #soybean diseases
Information And Results
Project Summary

The main objective of the work we propose is to describe the soybean disease
suppressing (Patent 2252VT) capacity of a Pseudomonas spp. we have isolated
from healthy soybean roots and nodules, and to determine the molecular
components of that disease resistance capacity to assess their value to Virginia
soybean growers. We expect to find solutions to reducing disease-induced
soybean yield and quality problems. We are focused on the obvious biggest
players of disease in Soybean, such as root rot (Rhizoctonia) but are also
interested in stopping disease before it becomes a problem. My expertise and
research interests have always been about using symbiotic and mutualistic
microbes and microbiomes to aid plant growth. One main mechanism for
increasing the health and growth of crops such a soybean comes from positive
"good" microbes to fight off disease. The work we propose here utilizes our
knowledge of "good" mutualistic microbes to fight off pathogenic microbes. We
seek to understand the breadth of the ability of our bacteria to suppress
different diseases and to describe the mechanisms and molecules used in this
suppression. Knowing which molecules that microbes produce to fight disease
will help determine if they can reduce soybean disease in a farmer's field.

Project Objectives

i. Describe the soybean disease suppressing (Patent 2252VT) capacity of a
Pseudomonas to determine the molecular components associated with disease
resistance associated with Virginia soybeans. Hypothesis to be tested The
antagonistic activity of Pseudomonas strains as will help describe part of the way
these bacteria can increase soybean growth (by offsetting disease)
ii. Student training in the science of soybean-microbial interaction.

Project Deliverables

Potential of bacteria to suppress pathogens.
Identify molecules important to pathogen suppression
Information on whether these molecules might themselves be useful for fighting
disease problems in soybean

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

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.