Location: Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research
Project Number: 5012-22000-023-013-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 23, 2025
End Date: Sep 22, 2029
Objective:
The primary objective of this collaborative project is to advance research on soybean pathogens, with a particular focus on Calonectria ilicicola, the causal agent of red crown rot. The project will emphasize phenotypic and genetic characterization of pathogen isolates, evaluation of isolate variation in response to different fungicides, and the development of a high-throughput, race-specific detection method. These efforts will be supported by access to critical resources, including naturally infected field sites, laboratory instruments, chemical reagents, and shared scientific expertise. Additionally, the partnership will promote the joint development of competitive research proposals aimed at securing external funding to support long-term investigation and sustainable management of this disease.
Approach:
1. Establish Collaboration: We will define roles and responsibility of key collaborators and schedule regular meetings to o align objectives, share resources, and develop research milestones.
2. Access and Characterize Pathogen Resources: We will get diverse Calonectria ilicicola isolates from cooperator field sites and conduct phenotypic and molecular characterization to understand isolate diversity and pathogenicity.
3. Field and green house trails: We will integrate naturally infected field and controlled greenhouse experiments to generate comprehensive insights into C. ilicicola pathogenesis.
4. Proposal Development: We will prepare competitive research proposals targeting external funding opportunity.