The goal of the project will characterize fungal parasites of SCN eggs commonly found in NY State and identify beneficial root endophytes and fungi colonizing, antagonizing, or parasitizing the SCN. It will identify fungi that can be used as either root inoculants or seed treatments to protect soybeans from various biological stresses and enhance soybean productivity in the Midwest soybean production systems. The specific objectives of the project will be 1) characterize fungi found associated with SCN in NY State, and 2) screen these fungi for their antagonism to SCN via either secreted chemicals or direct parasitism.

Objective 1: Establish baseline knowledge of microbial communities associated with SCN cysts in NY State
1.1 Characterize nematode populations and associated microbial communities
1.2 Analysis of variables such as soil type and SCN densities

Objective 2: Screen fungi for antagonism of the soybean cyst nematode
2.1 Bioassays for nematode parasitism
2.2 Screen fungi for production of nematicidal and hatch inhibitory metabolites

We expect this project will produce at least the following deliverables:
• Project reports will be submitted to NYCSG following the established schedule.
• Identification of candidate fungal and/or bacterial strains showing high antagonism to SCN. There will be high possibility that some fungi and/or chemical compounds discovered in the project can be developed into biological control agents or biopesticides to control these pathogens.
• Extension publications will be written for Cornell Extension Service website or other venues that are accessible to soybean growers and extension educators in NY and the Mid-Atlantic region.
• PowerPoint presentations will be prepared from the data generated in this study for various field days and conference talks at professional society meetings.
The overall outcome of the project will be development of technologies that can be used to enhance soybean productivity in NY State. Research in the project will establish a baseline of knowledge of fungi associated with SCN infested soybean production systems in NY and identify candidates to develop technologies such as seed treatment or root inoculants to control SCN and increase soybean productivity in NY.

The outcome of the research will be development of new tools for integrated pest management and technologies to control SCN and increase soybean productivity. In sum, this project will benefit soybean growers by 1) identifying fungi and bacteria for development as commercial seed treatments for farmers to apply to control SCN, and 2) characterizing chemical compounds with targeted effects against SCN for development as environmentally friendly nematicides and/or fungicides to control SCN and potentially other soybean pathogens.