Researchers working on Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) met to share
results and discuss areas where various groups could cooperate
in developing a better understanding of the disease. Nearly 40
researchers from 10 states (AR, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MO and
VA), three private companies (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Syngenta
and Qualen Consulting), and representatives from the Illinois
Soybean Association, North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP)
and the United Soybean Board attended the annual meeting of the
SDS collaborators at the Touch of Nature Meeting Center near Carbondale,
Illinois on Nov. 16-17. The meeting was partially funded by NCSRP.
SDS was first reported in the rich
Mississippi River bottomland of Arkansas and Tennessee in the late
1960s. The disease spread to southern Illinois in the early 1980s
and now can be found in most Midwest states. With the right weather
conditions, SDS can reduce soybean yields by up to 70 percent.
Several checkoff boards are funding SDS research projects; one
objective of this meeting was for research groups to share their
results so other research groups could benefit by adjusting their
projects. The coordination of individual research efforts helps
reduce unnecessary research efforts and speeds the adoption of
better management practices to reduce soybean losses attributed
to the disease.
Researchers reported results of studies using genomics and biotechnology
tools to better understand the disease; how the SDS pathogen and
soybean cyst nematodes interact to stress the soybean plant; results
of field and greenhouse germplasm screening; and field plot evaluations
of commercial soybean varieties. The sharing and discussing of current
results provides for a better understanding of disease and its control.
The highlight of the meeting was the evening general discussion session,
lead by Oval Myers (retired soybean breeder, Southern Illinois University),
which reviewed what we know and don't know about the disease. The
session allowed the group to review progress developed over the past
20 years in managing the disease. The conclusion was resistant commercial
soybean varieties and the crop management options are now available
to minimize yield losses. The “easy research” has been
done and now the challenge is to undertake the genetic and molecular
studies needed to advance the understanding of the disease.
SDS
Symposium