DEVELOPMENT OF DISEASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR SOYBEAN PATHOGENS IN OHIO

Soybean production in Ohio is challenging due to the predominant soil types in the state which favor many soil borne pathogens. This ultimately results in lower state average yields compared to Iowa and Illinois. Thus, identifying the best disease management practices for soybean production in Ohio will enhance soybean producer's profitability. In addition, implementation of Integrated Pest Management systems which are both economically and environmentally better suited for Ohio will be more profitable for Ohio producers. We have identified resistance to most of the key soybean pathogens that affect soybean. The long term goal is to identify specific genes or alleles associated with this resistance, develop markers to identify the correct allele or form of the resistance and make these available to breeders (University, Industry). In theory, if this is done in an expeditious manner, then we can eliminate losses to the most soybean pathogens identified in this area.Evaluate and characterize soybean germplasm for resistance to P. sojae, Pythium spp., Fusarium graminearum and other pathogens that are economically damaging in Ohio.Monitor the changes in pathotypes of P. sojae and diversity of key pathogen populations in Ohio and the north central region and determine if new introductions, mutation, random genetic drift, gene and genotype flow, or widespread outcrossing are responsible for these shifts and changes in disease outbreaks.Identify the mechanisms and thus perfect molecular markers that contribute to the expression of R-gene and Quantitative disease resistance in soybean towards P. sojae, Pythium spp. and F. graminearum.Evaluate disease management practices to manage key pathogens of soybean across Ohio to limit their impact on overall yield.