DEVELOPING AN RNAI-BASED BIOLOGICAL SEED TREATMENT TO PROTECT SOYBEANS FROM THE CAUSAL AGENT OF SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME (SDS) FUSARIUM VIRGULIFORME

Goal 1.Identify 2 to 5RNA soy seed treatments that activate defenseresponses in plants through RNAi.Objective 1. Discover a panel of 10 to 20 soy seed treatments likely to successfully deliverRNA that are non-phytotoxic in soy.Objective 2. CharacterizeRNA behavior in thetreatments to further select those with best potential forRNA delivery.Objective 3.Identify most effective 2-5 treatments thatactivate plant defense via RNAi.Goal 2.DemonstrateFusarium virguliforme soy protection by the RNA soy seed treatmentin growth chamber assays.Objective 1. Identify at least 1 seed treatment that can provide Fusarium virguliforme protection via RNAi in a chamber setting.