Soybean root and stem rot is caused by the soil-borne oomycete pathogen Phytophthora sojae. The resistance contributed by individual Rps genes is effective for approximately 10 years due to the rapid evolution of P. sojae races. As a result, most of the known Rps genes used for soybean protection have become partially or completely ineffective to many emerging new races/isolates of the pathogen. It is important to identify and deploy novel genes for soybean protection. Researchers have identified four novel Rps genes, each carrying excellent resistance to predominant races of P. sojae. The goal of this project is to incorporate these genes into elite soybean cultivars for enhanced and long-lasting resistance against P. sojae.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, geneticists, breeders