2022
Understanding taproot decline; a soybean disease of increasing importance in Arkansas
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
Understanding charcoal rot and taproot decline; potential yield limiting soybean diseases in Arkansas
Lead Principal Investigator:
Terry Spurlock, University of Arkansas
Co-Principal Investigators:
Alejandro Rojas, University of Arkansas
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
$37,000
Institution Funded:
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
$37,000
Brief Project Summary:
Researchers recently identified a new soybean disease caused by a unique pathogen. The working group named the pathogen Xylaria necrophora, and the disease itself taproot decline, or TRD, because of the way it attacks the primary soybean root. It appears a bit like sudden death syndrome, but roots of affected soybeans looked more like black root rot, a cotton disease. Work focuses on helping farmers and agronomists identify the disease, while also documenting distribution and exploring potential solutions for control. One key focus of the research is product testing and variety screening for resistance to the disease.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #Extension agents, #farmers, #researchers, #soybean breeders
Unique Keywords:
#disease, #soybean diseases, #taproot decline
Information And Results
Project Summary

Recently, a group of scientists from the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, and Louisiana State University characterized a new disease of soybeans prevalent in our three states, taproot decline (TRD). The regional distribution of disease occurrence and yield loss is unclear at this time. However, it has been found as far north as Craighead County, and some farmer and consultant reports indicate losses could be as high as 10 bu/A in fields. In 2016, fields in Mississippi and Louisiana suffered substantial yield losses from this disease. Currently, we do not have seed treatment fungicide or varietal recommendations for growers to combat TRD. Understanding the regional distribution, commercially available seed treatment efficacy, and varietal susceptibilities are necessary for successful management of this disease in Arkansas.

Project Objectives

Goal: To better understand and implement effective management practices for these diseases.

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

Understanding the regional distribution, commercially available seed treatment efficacy, and varietal susceptibilities are necessary for successful management of taproot decline in Arkansas.

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.