Updated December 10, 2019:
The 4th growing season for this project has been completed and data is currently being compiled. Efforts from previous seasons identified 50 plant introductions (breeding material) resistant to Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) and other foliar diseases. A simpler, improved rating scale was developed for evaluating for CLB, a disease with multiple aboveground symptoms. Efforts will soon be underway to identify markers for CLB resistance, which will greatly improve breeder efficiency. Advanced breeding lines and publically available varieties have been identified with resistance to CLB and other diseases. Plant samples from multiple trial locations in 7 states have yielded pathogen isolate collections from 2018 and 2019. Isolates will be genetically characterized and compared across locations as well as screened for fungicide resistance. We have identified publically available sources of resistance to stink bugs. Crosses are advancing to produce elite, high yielding soybean varieties that will reduce the number of insecticide applications needed to protect the crop, reducing producer inputs while maximizing profits.