Location: Crop Production and Protection
Project Number: 0500-00102-001-071-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 10, 2025
End Date: Aug 9, 2026
Objective:
Additional research is needed to complete the development of the forecasting models for wheat stripe rust and expand the modeling efforts for leaf rust, Parastagonospora leaf blotch, and tan spot. For this project year, we propose the following objectives: 1) Establish field disease monitoring sites to develop predictive models for stripe rust, tan spot, and Parastagonospora leaf blotch and monitor disease progression; 2) Conduct fungicide timing experiments comparing growth stage applications and model guided fungicide applications; 3) Conduct a disease survey of wheat production fields in ND to document the prevalence of wheat diseases at different calendar dates in the season; 4) Collect and submit samples of fungal leaf spots for fungicide sensitivity monitoring.
Approach:
The project goals for pulses are conducted in three objectives: 1) Develop soil sampling methodologies for reliable detection of root rot pathogens; 2) Monitor commercial fields for soilborne inoculum, weather, and crop yield to quantify the economic impact of root rot disease; and 3) Develop a multipronged Extension and outreach approach to improve root rot management in pulse crops and facilitate the adoption of the root rot risk prediction model. For objectives 1 and 2, ten fields in North Dakota will be identified that have a history of root rot disease and will be planted to pulse crops. Historic and current metadata will be collected for each field for the last 15 years. Soil samples will occur at three timepoints through the growing season and sent to a cooperator for pathogen identification. Disease assessment will be conducted at the in-season sampling time point and rated for root rot using established rating systems. Greenhouse bioassays will be conducted on composite soil samples from each target area. Dry pea will be planted in the soil and seedling emergence will be counted and removed after 6 weeks to evaluate for disease and pathogens will be identified by qPCR. For objective 3, At least one grower-focused outreach event on root rot risk and management will be hosted, using a shop talk-style format to facilitate discussion and information exchange.