2014
Effects of soil conservation practice (cover crop, crop rotations and tillage) on soybean SDS
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Iowa Soybean Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Soil healthTillage
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Leonor Leandro, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Matthew Helmers, Iowa State University
Matt Liebman, Iowa State University
Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
+2 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Iowa Soybean Association
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
Iowa State University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

The effect of long-term tillage practices on SDS is not known. The goal of this project is to enhance our understanding of how cover crops, rotation crops, and tillage affect soybean sudden death syndrome. Previous research found that tillage reduced SDS, but these studies were conducted over 2 to 3 year periods and do not represent long-term impacts of tillage. After several years, no-till fields actually show less compaction and improved drainage compared to tilled fields and reductions in SDS in those fields has been observed by growers but not yet proven based on research trials.

Unique Keywords:
#cover crop studies, #soil and tillage management, #sudden death syndrome (sds)
Information And Results
Final Project Results

One greenhouse experiment was established in March 4th at ISU to optimize protocols for the cover crop studies. The objective in this study was to determine the level of susceptibility of several cover crops to infection by Fv. A total of 13 crops were selected for testing: red clover, alfalfa, turnip, false flax, annual ryegrass, mustard, rye, oat, winter wheat, triticale, as well as corn and two soybean varieties. Seeds were planted into steam-pasteurized sandy soil mixed with sorghum seeds infested or non-infested with Fv. Plants were assessed for SDS foliar and root rot symptoms 4 weeks after planting. Roots were plated in PDA media to confirm the presence of Fv. Due to stunting in all inoculated plants, the experiment was discarded, but the experiment was useful to troubleshoot the methodology for future experiments. A repetition of the experiment is underway. Currently, Fv inoculum has been prepared and more seeds were purchased. Ongoing long-term cover crop and crop rotation trials are being prepared for the 2014 field season and will be monitored for SDS severity and incidence over the season. Plants and soil will also be collected for evaluation. Planting of the third year of long-term tillage trial established in 2011 is in preparation for the 2014 season.

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.