Project Number: 6402-21220-011-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 27, 2012
End Date: Feb 26, 2017

Objective:
Objective 1: Develop new soybean germplasm with resistance to soybean cyst nematode populations, Macrophomina (M.) phaseolina, and other fungal diseases of soybean using traditional and marker-assisted breeding methods. Sub-objective 1.A. Identify new sources of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance in Glycine max. Sub-objective 1.B. Characterize new sources for unique resistance genes and develop molecular markers associated with resistance. Sub-objective 1.C. Pyramid nematode resistance genes into elite backgrounds of maturity groups III, IV, and V in combination with resistance to charcoal rot and other fungal diseases to develop new germplasm/cultivars. Objective 2: Characterize the variability of Macrophomina phaseolina in soybean and develop improved methods to identify resistance. Sub-objective 2.A. Phenotype the isolates of M. phaseolina based on pathogenicity. Sub-objective 2.B. Determine spatial distribution of M. phaseolina populations in a field. Sub-objective 2.C. Evaluate soybean germplasm, breeding lines and cultivars for host plant resistance against field isolates of (a) M. phaseolina (b) Phomopsis longicolla (Phomopsis Seed Decay) and (c) Cercospora sojina (Frogeye Leaf Spot). Objective 3: Develop improved management practices to reduce soybean cyst nematode reproduction. Sub-objective 3.A. Characterize the interaction between Pasteuria nishizawae and H. glycines to reduce the impact of soybean cyst nematode on soybean production. Sub-objective 3.B. Identify the interaction of soybean cyst nematode with other plant-parasitic nematodes of importance in Mid South soybean production fields.

Approach:
Identify the interaction of soybean cyst nematode with other plant-parasitic nematodes of importance in Mid South soybean production fields. Pyramid nematode resistance genes into elite backgrounds of maturity groups III, IV, and Vin combination with resistance to charcoal rot and other fungal diseases to develop new germplasm/cultivars. Identify new sources of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance in Glycine max. Characterize new sources for unique resistance genes and develop molecular markers associated with resistance. Phenotype the isolates ofM. phaseolina based on pathogenicity. Determine spatial distribution of M. phaseolina populations in a field. Evaluate soybean germplasm, breeding lines and cultivars for host plant resistance against field isolates of (a) M. phaseolina (b) Phomopsis longicolla (Phomopsis Seed Decay) and (c) Cercospora sojina (Frogeye Leaf Spot). Characterize the interaction between Pasteuria nishizawae and Heterodera (H.) glycines to reduce the impact of soybean cyst nematode on soybean production.