Project Objectives
1. Build a collection of isolates from Mid-Atlantic soybean fields with history of soilborne fungal disease.
2. Observe the frequency of isolation within and across farms and characterize fungal isolates to species using molecular protocols.
3. Share research findings through extension events and use findings to inform future management trials.
Project Deliverables
Progress of Work
Updated July 27, 2020:
At this time, 15 survey sites have been identified to build fungal isolate collections. Early season isolates have been collected from five farms and the additional 10 sites will be surveyed in August and September. Fungi isolated to date are in pure culture and will be prepped for DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing in September/October once the full isolate set has been collected. Through morphological ID, we have collected fungi from the genus Diaporthe (causal agents of pod and stem rot, stem canker, etc.), Fusarium, and Macrophomina (charcoal rot). We have also collected Oomycete pathogens Pythium (Pythium root rot) and Phytophthora (Phytophthora root and stem rot). These will be identified to species using molecular methods mentioned above.
Final Project Results
Updated January 29, 2021:
View uploaded report 
Soilborne pathogens can reduce soybean yield and quality. Limited research has been conducted in recent years to characterize and identify problematic fungal pathogens to species. Project objectives included: 1) Build a collection of isolates from Mid-Atlantic soybean fields with history of soilborne fungal disease. 2) Observe the frequency of isolation within and across farms and characterize fungal isolates to species using molecular protocols. 3) Share research findings through extension events and use findings to inform future management trials. In 2020, twenty-eight field sites were surveyed. Diaporthe longicolla was the dominant pathogen identified in 2020. From this trial, an isolate collection was established that will be used in greenhouse and field screening trials in 2021.
Benefit to Soybean Farmers
Performance Metrics