The goal of this project is to reduce soybean losses from stem diseases by improving management of important stem diseases, including stem canker, white mold, and SDS. Our deliverables were: 1) increased knowledge of stem pathogen biology; 2) recommendations for field practices for improved disease management; 3) germplasm with improved resistance to stem diseases and 4) extension activities and products to disseminate new information to farmers and the soybean industry. We accomplished these deliverables by:
• by testing sensitivity of F. virguliforme (SDS) and Diaporthe species (stem canker) isolates to the SDHI fungicide fluopyram (Ilevo);
• developing a qPCR tool to quantify the amount of Macrophomina in soybean roots, as an indication of soybean genotype resistance to charcoal rot
• screening plant essential oils for ability to inhibit growth of the SDS, charcoal rot and white mold pathogens
• evaluating the impact of soil amendments with biochar for SDS suppression
• screening more than 700 soybean varieties and advanced breeding lines for resistance to white mold, SDS, iron deficiency chlorosis, and agronomic traits
• disseminating new information to soybean stakeholders through outreach activities including: two webinars (one on Phytophthora and one of white mold) released by the Crop Protection Network; creating 3D visual displays of soybean stem diseases and using them as educational tools at large audience events; recording 3 training/outreach videos of stem diseases; and presenting research results as posters and oral presentations at scientific and extension meetings.