Soybean aphids and the seedling rot pathogens Phytophthora sojae and Fusarium graminearum damage soybean health. Research strives to combat these diseases by searching soybean germplasm collections for disease-resistant/tolerant varieties and identifying the underlying genes responsible for resistance/tolerance. This project builds on previous studies to identify the actual gene(s) within each of the multi-gene loci that govern the resistance/tolerance. Use of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors derived from bean pod mottle virus and apple latent spherical virus aid this process. This work is expected to accelerate the mobilization of these R genes to disease-susceptible varieties.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents, soybean breeders, seed companies