2022
Survey and rapid diagnostics for fungicide resistant Frogeye Leaf Spot in Nebraska
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Lead Principal Investigator:
Sydney Everhart, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
707
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) of soybean is caused by Cercospora sojina and typically affects leaves in the upper canopy. Under favorable conditions, FLS can cause up to 35% yield loss [1]. FLS is severe when soybean is grown continuously in the same field, particularly in fields where tillage is reduced, since this is a residue- and seed-borne disease. FLS was first identified in 1924 in the southeastern United States [2] and has now spread past the northern border of Nebraska and was common across the eastern third of the state in 2017[3]. Over the past few years, generic fungicides have become available to producers at a very low cost. Even though there are newer products with multiple modes...
Unique Keywords:
#soybean diseases
Information And Results
Project Summary

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) of soybean is caused by Cercospora sojina and typically affects leaves in the upper canopy. Under favorable conditions, FLS can cause up to 35% yield loss [1]. FLS is severe when soybean is grown continuously in the same field, particularly in fields where tillage is reduced, since this is a residue- and seed-borne disease. FLS was first identified in 1924 in the southeastern United States [2] and has now spread past the northern border of Nebraska and was common across the eastern third of the state in 2017[3]. Over the past few years, generic fungicides have become available to producers at a very low cost. Even though there are newer products with multiple modes of action for management, producers are selecting single mode of action products which will push resistance to become widespread [4]. In 2019, resistance to QoI fungicides was confirmed in 10 isolates of C. sojina from 10 counties in Nebraska (Fig. 1). Fungicide resistance is a serious concern because it threatens the ability to use QoI fungicides, which are some of the most effective and widely used fungicides for managing FLS. The proposed study is aimed at: 1) developing a DNA-based method to provide rapid diagnostics to identify FLS-resistance at no direct cost to growers in the next three years, 2) developing new information on the distribution and spread of fungicide resistant FLS in Nebraska, and 3) develop educational materials and outreach programs on resistance management practices.

Project Objectives

1. Develop a DNA-based protocol for rapid identification of QoI resistant C. sojina.
2. Solicit FLS samples coming from Nebraska soybean grower fields by contacting crop consultants, commercial agronomists, and Extension educators, and use the DNA-based tool (from Obj. 1) for rapid diagnosis of FLS fungicide resistance at no cost to the grower.
3. Perform targeted follow-up sampling of selected soybean fields to be able to characterize the within-field distribution of fungicide resistance.
4. Characterize the population structure and genetic diversity of C. sojina populations (from Obj. 2 and 3) from soybean to better understand the epidemiology of resistance in Nebraska.
5. Develop/deliver educational materials and outreach programs on resistance management.

Project Deliverables

Year 2 – The survey will continue in year 2 (summer 2022). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and shared with local growers during the Extension program. A selection of isolates will be genotyped to enable understanding of the epidemiology of fungicide resistance in Nebraska. Educational materials and outreach programs will be delivered.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Updated May 26, 2023:

View uploaded report PDF file

These results help farmers and applicators select and apply more effective fungicide products for better disease control and reduced impact of frogeye leaf spot on yield. The new assay will enable samples to be tested rapidly to determine if the frogeye leaf spot fungus is resistant to the common Group 11 QoI fungicides.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

In 2019, resistance to QoI fungicides was confirmed in 10 isolates of C. sojina from 10 counties in Nebraska. Fungicide resistance is a serious concern because it threatens the ability to use QoI fungicides, which are some of the most effective and widely used fungicides for managing FLS. A major limitation is that we do not presently have capacity within Nebraska for QoI resistance screening of C. sojina. The proposed study is aimed at: 1) developing a DNA-based method to
provide rapid diagnostics to identify FLS-resistance at no direct cost to growers in the next three years, 2) developing new information on the distribution and spread of fungicide resistant FLS in Nebraska, and 3) develop educational materials and outreach programs on resistance management practices.

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.