Project Number: 3611-22000-021-08
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2012
End Date: Dec 31, 2013

Objective:
(1) Identify and confirm resistance to soybean rust at multiple locations in the southern U.S.; (2) Characterize relationships among different rust resistance genes and breed soybean lines with various resistance genes singly and in pairs; (3) Assess genetic and virulence diversity within and among domestic populations of the soybean rust fungus.

Approach:
(1) Coordinate field testing of exotic germplasm, improved breeding lines and sets of differentials for resistance to soybean rust (SBR) in the southern U.S., and in greenhouse evaluations in Griffin GA and Urbana IL. Plant Introductions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection will be screened for resistance to SBR at field nurseries in Baton Rouge and Bossier City, LA; Fairhope, AL; and Quincy, FL, to determine which have resistance. Tests will also be conducted at greenhouses in Georgia and Illinois. (2) Use phenotypic, genetic mapping and genomic data to characterize relationships among Rpp genes from germplasm accessions with SBR resistance, and develop breeding and experimental lines that carry Rpp genes singly or in pairs. Experiments will be conducted to determine which resistance genes and pairs of genes are most effective, and these genes will be selected for in soybean breeding lines. (3) Assess genetic and virulence diversity within and among domestic P. pachyrhizi populations, and maintain a collection of representative isolates that will be necessary for identifying and verifying specific resistance. Samples of the soybean rust fungus will be collected in the field, purified, and tested to determine what reactions they provoke on a set of soybean lines with known resistance genes.