2015
Characterization of Fusarium species infecting soybean roots in South Dakota
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Febina Mathew, South Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
South Dakota State University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Multiple Fusarium species are associated with soybeans, causing diseases such as Fusarium wilt, sudden death syndrome, seedling diseases and root rot. Despite the importance of Fusarium species, there is little information available on the significance and management of root diseases caused by them. The primary goal of this research is to study the impact of Fusarium root rot on soybeans and its interaction with other diseases such as soybean cyst nematode. Objectives include evaluating the frequency and aggressiveness of Fusarium species associated with soybean roots; determining the interaction between H. glycines and Fusarium species infecting soybean roots; determining the influence of soil fertility on SCN and Fusarium species.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, plant pathologists

Information And Results
Final Project Results

Ten Fusarium species were identified to cause root rot on soybean in South Dakota. While F. sporotrichioides, and F. acuminatum were more prevalent, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. armeniacum, F. avenaceum, F. equiseti, F. proliferatum F. subglutinans, and F. virguliforme were less frequently found.

In the aggressiveness study under greenhouse conditions, F. proliferatum isolates caused the most severe root rot symptoms on soybean, followed by isolates of F. subglutanins, F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, and F. virguliforme. Among the Fusarium species causing damping-off, majority of the F. oxysporum isolates caused the most severe damping-off symptoms, followed by F. armeniacum and F. subglutanins. F. proliferatum and F. subglutanins are known to have a wide host range which includes soybean and corn.

The finding of these two Fusarium species on soybean in South Dakota is important because most soybean producers in South Dakota use a corn-soybean rotation in combination with reduced-tillage or no tillage systems, to help prevent soil erosion and increase organic matter. However, crop residue left on the soil surface of the field may favor survival of Fusarium species. While the corn-soybean rotation combined with no-tillage or reduced tillage system is followed in South Dakota, our results showing that F. proliferatum, F. subglutanins, and F. sporotrichioides are root rot pathogens aggressive on soybean suggest that corn crop residues may be an important source of inoculum for these Fusarium species.

The findings from this research suggest the need to test the effectiveness of management strategies, such as fungicide seed treatments, host resistance and cultural practices, to manage Fusarium root rot of soybean and protect yield.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.