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This research is being conducted to increase the level of resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean cultivars and to develop and evaluate improved disease control and resistance options for soybean producers.
Approach:
This plan of work makes use of DNA markers and marker-assisted selection to identify and manipulate chromosomal regions that are associated with smaller lesions size when soybeans are infected with S. sclerotiorum. We are combining multiple QTL identified by the DNA marker genotypes into individual homozygous F5-serived soybean lines to increase overall resistance to the fungus. We also are evaluating different transgenic approaches that may either confer resistance to the fungus (via a lytic peptide expressed in the transgenic plants that destroys the fungus) or may allow the use of effective chemical control measures against Sclerotinia as well as other fungal and bacterial pathogens and soybean cyst nematode.