Soybean aphids Photo credit: Michigan State University

Soybean aphid management in the North Central states
This group of soybean aphid researchers has developed most of the aphid management information used by soybean producers and crop advisors today. The current economic threshold of 250 aphids per plant was realized through a multi-state cooperative research effort coupled with the efforts of Extension entomologists throughout the soybean belt. This collaborative approach as has been awarded the coveted 2005 Entomology Educational Project Award.

This project continues NCSPR's commitment to solving the soybean aphid problem. The research proposes to operate a regional suction trap network to collect soybean aphid data that can be correlated with field populations or to predict following-season population densities. The research also proposes to evaluate soybean aphid-resistant breeding lines in replicated field plots, and to refine the economic threshold for soybean aphid.

Participating universities: University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey, Kansas State University and the USDA-ARS, University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, and University of Wisconsin.

Parasitized soybean aphids.

Biological control of the soybean aphid

This project will implement a biological control program to provide the North Central soybean producer with increased management options for controlling the soybean aphid. The research program will determine the potential for the establishment, safety, and compatibility of imported natural enemies of the soybean aphid; educate growers of the potential of biological control to manage soybean aphids; and develop a region-wide program to provide biocontrol options to soybean producers in the Midwest.

Participating universities: Purdue University , University of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey, Beneficial Inductions Research Unit, Newark, DE, Iowa State University, Michigan State University , University of Minnesota , South Dakota State University, and University of Wisconsin. With overseas collaboration with Japan (University of Utsunomiya and the Japanese National Agricultural Research Service), China (Chinese Academy of Science and USDA/ARS Sino-American Biological Control Laboratory, Beijing), and Korea (Seoul National University).

SCN females Photo credit: University of Illinois

Investigations of changes in resistance to PI88788 to field populations of soybean cyst nematode

Most soybean varieties with resistance to soybean cyst nematode have PI88788 as the source. Previous research conducted by the University of Illinois suggests that PI88788 may be losing it's effectiveness against SCN. This project will determine the current effectiveness of PI88788 as a source of resistance to soybean cyst nematode in several North Central states and determine the effectiveness of other sources of SCN resistance in areas where PI88788 may no longer be effective.

Participating universities: University of Illinois/USDA/ARS, Purdue University, USDA/ ARS, West Tennessee Experiment Station, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Soybean Diseases

Symptoms of leaf mottling caused by virus infection. Photo credit: University of Wisconsin

Mitigating the effects of soybean virus disease in the North Central states

Soybean viruses rob Midwest producers of 12 million bushels annually. Virus symptoms are nearly undistinguishable from other soybean stressors or from herbicide injury. Bean pod mottle virus and soybean mosaic virus are currently the most damaging, but new, more potentially damaging viruses have been found.

This research will improve our diagnostic capability of selected soybean viruses and determine the source, movement, and risk of soybean dwarf virus - a new, potentially devastating disease. The project will include identification of sources of tolerance/resistance to important soybean viruses.

Participating universities: Iowa State University, USDA/ ARS/University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin,USDA/ARS/Ohio State University, and USDAARS/Fort Detrick.

Symptoms of iron deficiency chlorosis Photo credit: Iowa State University

Breeding and management strategies for overcoming iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) in soybean

Both breeding and management strategies are involved in this research project. The breeding component will:

1. Evaluate soybean genotypes for chlorosis symptoms and yield in paired sites (IDC and non-IDC sites within single fields) at multiple locations
2. Quantify any association between IDC score and yield
3. Compare yield ranks in IDC and non-IDC sites
4. Identify cultivars that yield competitively on both IDC sites and non-IDC sites and identify cultivars that are top-yielding on both IDC and non-IDC sites

The management component will:

1. Quantify the impact of a competition plant such as oats on the concentration of NO3-N in soil and soybean plants growing in soil having properties conducive to IDC
2. Develop management practices such as seeding rate and time of application of glyphosate for the competition crop
3. Calculate the economic benefit of the competition crop where IDC is a major problem
4. Calculate the uptake of N and the impact on moisture by the oats grown in this production situation

Enhancing disease resistance in soybean through the tools of biotechnology

This project is designed to expand the understanding of underlying molecular clues of plant/parasite interactions. Specific objectives are:

1. Express zoospore encystment peptide in soybean as a means to block the life cycle of Phytopthora sojae.
2. Express a tobacco RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase gene in soybean as a means to maintain the soybean's virus surveillance mechanism
3. Introduce two bacterial-derived insect toxins into soybean as a means to combat aphid infestation
4. Use a candidate gene approach to clone genes mapped to known QTLs associated with fungal resistance in soybeans.

Participating universities: University of Missouri, University of Nebraska

Soybean infected wtih Phytophthora sojae. Photot credit: Ohio State University

Limiting losses to Phytophthora sojae in the North Central region
Only SCN robs producers of more soybean yield than Phytophthora root and stem rot. NCSRP continues to invest heavily in research to mitigate losses caused by Phytophthora. From this research, producers will have new sources of resistance to protect their yield for many years, and have up-to-date information to help crop professionals better understand ways to reduce yield loss from Phytophthora.

This eleven-state project strives to:

1. Screen the soybean plant introductions that have been identified with novel Rps genes for resistance/susceptibility to P. sojae isolates representing diverse populations from all of the North Central states
2. Identify the Rps genes that may exist in soybean plant introductions that are currently being incorportated into northern soybean germplasm
3. Characterize the populations of P. sojae populations across the region for pathotypes (races) as well as metalaxyl sensitivity
4. Evaluate the effects of cultural practices on minimizing losses to Phytophthora sojae on varieties with different levels of partial resistance
5. Identify molecular markers that can be readily used by participants to evaluate the diversity of P. sojae in their state

Participating universities: Ohio State University, USDA/ARS/University of Illinois, USDA/ARS/Purdue University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario, Canada.

SDS variety trials Photo credit: Southern Illinois University

North Central SDS variety testing program

This project is a multi-state, multi-disciplinary research effort designed to identify soybean varieties with a high resistance to sudden death syndrome and other diseases of importance to soybean producers in the North Central region.

Participating universities: Southern Illinois University, Iowa State University, University of Missouri, Purdue University, University of Arkansas, and University of Tennessee.

Symptoms of frogeye leaf spot Photo credit: Iowa State University

Managing frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot in the North Central region 
The objective of this nine-state research project is to develop additional information on two soybean diseases, frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot, which are expanding in the North Central region. This project will specifically:

1. Evaluate genetic resistance to frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot in released varieties and elite germplasm
2. Develop soybean varieties with resistance to frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot
3. Verify the greenhouse screening protocol for resistance to charcoal rot
4. Characterize the prominent pathotypes of Cercospora sojina with germplasm differentials and molecular markers
5. Develop an annual report on the impact of the diseases in each North Central state
6. Provide educational materials on frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot
7. Deveop chemical management strategies for frogeye leaf spot

Participating universities: Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, USDA/ARS/ Purdue University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, University of Tennessee, USDA/ARS Jackson TN, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University.

States hosting sentinel plots in 2007. Funding provided by NCSRP/ USB/USDA (Green) and USDA (Orange)

Sentinel plots to monitor the spread of Asian soybean rust in the United States

Once again NCSRP and USB partnered to establish sentinel plots in 16 states through the U.S. to provide a critical early-warning system for soybean producers. These plots expand and complement those established by the USDA. The results from the sentinel plots and the movement of rust in the U.S. can be tracked at the USDA Public Soybean Rust website.

Participating universities: Ohio State University, USDA/ARS/University of Illinois, USDA/ARS/Purdue University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin, University of Kentucky, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, and Texas A&M University.

Preparation for soybean rust: Evaluation of canopy coverage and effects of fungicides on midwestern soybean varieties
In this project, protocols will be developed that will improve canopy coverage using current application equipment, and the efficacy of fungicides that are labeled with the Section 18 Emergeny Exemption Request on controlling rust on current commercial soybean cultivars will be evaluated.

Participating universities: USDA/ARS/University of Illinois, University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, South Dakota State University, Louisiana State University, University of Florida.

Soybean rust Photo credit: USDA/ARS

Population dynamics and epidemiology of Asian soybean rust in the United States

This novel initiative will:

1. Determine what conditions are necessary for Phakopsora pachyrhizi to overwinter in northern Florida
2. Develop field-scale disease models based on temperature, relative humidity, and leaf wetness
3. Determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of Asian soybean rust in sentinel and field plots
4. Link disease forecast and crop growth models that will tie early-planted sentinel plot detections with commercial field management needs
5. Conduct a workshop on Asian soybean rust identification and management for researchers and industry personnel

Participating universities: University of Florida

Plant Health Initiative
The Plant Health Initiative creates a private/public consortium in the North Central region that is focused on issues related to improving the health of the soybean plant. It includes this website, a clearinghouse of soybean management information, which is considered an authority that researchers, breeders, and producers can depend upon.