Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of NCERA137 Soybean Diseases was held at the Costa Dorada Beach Resort in Isabela, Puerto Rico, from January 25 to 27, 2009. Silvia Cianzio, Chair of NCERA137 called the meeting to order on the morning of Jan. 25. The format for the meeting included state reports on Jan. 25, field visits to the Iowa State University and Monsanto-Caribe winter nurseries on Jan. 26, and continued state reports, discussion topics, and business meeting on Jan. 27. State reports were presented from the following states (details to follow): (i) Illinois, (ii) Indiana, (iii) Kansas, (iv) Michigan, (v) Minnesota, (vi) Missouri, (vii) Nebraska, (viii) North Dakota, (ix) Ohio, (x) Wisconsin, (xi) Alabama, and (xii) Iowa. State reports were also received from Louisiana. Discussion topics included (details to follow): (i) David Wright, research director of ISA and NCSRP, Iowa soybean producers concerns, program direction, (ii) Jennifer Jones, research director of USB, Soybean production concerns at national level, (iii) Anne Dorrance (OH), White paper on soybean diseases research, (iv) Diane Brown-Rytlewski (MI), Development of standard ratings for foliar diseases of soybean, and (v) Leonor Leandro (IA), Soybean rust concerns: addressing research and the search for solutions in a concerted manner? Summary of the Business Meeting: On Jan. 27, the business meeting was conducted. Paul Esker (WI) will Chair NCERA137 for the 2010 meeting. Carl Bradley (IL) was nominated by Doug Jardine (KS) as Secretary for 2010, and seconded by X. B. Yang (IA). Carl was elected unanimously for Secretary of NCERA137. Discussion ensued on a meeting location for 2010. Every third year, this group meets with the Soybean Breeders during their meeting in St. Louis. In 2010, it will again be our turn to meet with the breeders. Therefore, the group was in agreement that the NCERA137 meeting should be held around the 2010 Soybean Breeders Meeting. Furthermore, the Corn Disease Working Group (former NCDC214) and Practical Management of SCN and Other Nematodes of Regional Importance: With Special Reference to Invasion Biology (NC1035), have both expressed interest in jointly meeting with NCERA137. Possible topics for half-day sessions with these groups include the interactions of SCN with soilborne fungi and an update on fungicide activities in corn and soybean. Further discussion will continue with both groups to coordinate the timing of the joint meetings. Steven Slack, Administrative Advisor of NCERA137 phoned into the meeting to provide a brief update as follows. The rewrite and materials that were needed for NCERA137 were received and will be reviewed by Plant Pathology Department Heads and the NC-Regional Committee at the end of March 2009. It is expected that a note regarding these reviews will be received in April 2009. As of now, Steve did not see any red flags in the materials submitted. Steve did emphasize that in future documents, pay particular attention to documenting the impacts and interactions across states. In terms of federal budgets, right now there is a continuing resolution at the federal level, but the President wants quick action on the programs. Tentatively, there may be increases of 3-5% for research and extension based on original discussions, however, there are many things in transition at the moment. The meeting was then adjourned. NCERA137 members would especially like to thank Silvia Cianzio for making arrangements and hosting participants in Puerto Rico.

State Summaries and Accomplishments: Phytophthora root rot: Phytophthora root rot continues to be problematic for soybean production in the NC-Region. In 2008, historic flooding in many states increased concern for widespread occurrence of Phytophthora root rot. Questions remain about the effectiveness of the Rps1k gene. Research continues in several states towards an improved understanding of the population dynamics of P. sojae. One collaborative project in progress between OH and MO is mapping QTLs associated with partial resistance, a project that is funded by USB and NCSRP. Charcoal rot: Although typically thought of as a disease of southern production regions, charcoal rot was significantly more widespread in 2008. Multi-state research currently is being conducted to identify new sources of resistance, to understand the interaction between disease and soil type, water, and nutrients, and also to determine the role of inoculum level in disease development. Soybean cyst nematode: SCN remains the number one yield limiting disease of soybean production in the United States. In 2008, multi-state, NCSRP-funded field research trials commenced, to examine the effect of source of resistance on the population dynamics of Heterodera glycines. As part of this project, a large outreach component was developed to improve stakeholder awareness of the effect of SCN on yield and long-term profitability?. Breeding research continues in many states to identify new sources of resistance and new field surveys are being conducted in states where SCN has historically been less common to understand the potential impact of SCN on soybean in particular and on crops other than soybean. Sudden death syndrome: While SDS occurrence is variable across the NC-region, it remains a major problem in many soybean production areas. Multiple projects are being performed across the states to look for new sources of resistance, to determine the cultural practices that can affect disease development, to determine the timing of infection, to improve the understanding of the distribution of Fusarium virguliforme within states, and also to improve understanding of the interaction between F. virguliforme and SCN. These projects include multiple multi-state collaborations funded through the NCSRP. Pythium: Research from Ohio has shown that there are 24 different Pythium spp. associated with seed and seedling infections on corn and soybean. New results also show that in fields with a history of replanting, P. irregularre and P. inflatum were most common. Increased diversity of Pythium spp. was found fields with higher levels of available calcium, CEC and organic matter. Fusarium: An improved understanding of the potential effect of Fusarium spp. on soybean production is needed. Research is currently focused on determining the diversity of Fusarium spp. in soybean fields. This is a multi-state USB-funded project. Cercospora leaf blight (CLB): There is a great need to improve our understanding of this disease in the north central region. Fundamental knowledge is lacking, such as whether field symptoms that look like CLB are indeed symptoms of the disease and whether CLB will cause yield loss in the north central soybean production regions. Research from Louisiana has indicated that late season foliar fungicides are ineffective against this disease, in part because it appears that the infection occurs during early vegetative stages. Research from Wisconsin has shown that soybean variety appears to be the more dominant factor in the risk of CLB, since an early V5 application did not affect the development of CLB. Frogeye leaf spot: New research from Ohio has documented that the causal organism, Cercospora sojina, can overwinter in parts of the NC-Region, increasing the potential for epidemics. Furthermore, in studies conducted in multiple states, the Rcs3 resistant gene appears to be performing quite well against isolates collected from the field and it is felt that breeders should pay particular attention to incorporating this gene into new cultivars. Bacterial blight: Research is currently being conducted in Illinois to determine the predominant race of bacterial isolates. The majority of isolates appear to be of race 4 and research is ongoing to identify sources of resistance. Sclerotinia stem rot: In areas where Sclerotinia stem rot remains a problem, research continues to identify sources of resistance, to examine the potential use of biocontrol agents, and to also develop forecasting models for the disease. Green stem: Research continues in some states to understand the importance of this disorder, especially to identify the etiological agent. In Louisiana, it was found that the use of RoundUp herbicide in conjunction with a strobilurin fungicide caused an increased incidence of green stem, and that there were significant interactions among water stress and varieties. Soybean rust: Continued monitoring for soybean rust continued in 2008 across the entire soybean production region, funded by the USDA/CSREES/RMA/NCSRP. There is a sense of fatigue being felt since rust has not caused yield loss in the northern regions, but there is a recognition that continued monitoring is important. In 2008, soybean rust was found in the northern states of Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri. Led by Ohio State University, the new edition of Using Foliar Fungicides to Manage Soybean Rust was published and is available at http://oardc.osu.edu/soyrust/. All information soybean rust monitoring is available through the national website, http://www.sbrusa.net. Fungicide seed treatments: Trials have been conducted in most states to look at the effectiveness of fungicide seed treatments. To date, most results have suggested that fungicide seed treatments do not have an effect on yield, except in fields with high Phytophthora pressure and favorable conditions for infection to occur shortly after planting. Foliar fungicides: Numerous trials were conducted in all states to improve the understanding of if and when foliar fungicides will be effective for soybean production. Multiple trials were conducted in southern states with the focus on soybean rust control. Currently, data is being compiled from 16 states (132 trials) to examine the relative efficacy of main products applied at the R3 growth stage. Summary of Discussion Topics (i) USB Priorities: Current funded projects include research on SCN, Fusarium root rot, Asian soybean rust, Phytophthora sojae, Charcoal rot, and Sudden death syndrome. Emerging issues include the use of genomic tools and biotechnology to expedite breeding, new disease and insect management strategies (including genetic resources), crop tolerance to environmental stress, crop management practices to reduce production costs and protect the environment, enhancing oil and meal quality traits, and attracting and training a new generation of soybean researchers, especially those focused on breeding. (ii) ISA/NCSRP Priorities: The two groups do not necessarily have the same priorities. Currently, the breakeven point for most growers in $9.86 to $10.12 per bushel. The biggest issues currently are the rising input costs, yield, and the effects of diseases and insects on yield. Especially important for many growers is to improve the incorporation of new pathogen biology into the production environment. Right now, SCN does not seem to be on the mind of many producers, especially since the majority use a resistant soybean variety (i.e., have the perception of managing the disease). The greatest need continues to be for Universities to keep positions open for soybean research and extension. At NCSRP, there has been a change in much of the Board Membership, indicating that there may be some changes in future focus for research and extension. (iii) White Paper Discussion: The white paper was published for use in June 2007. One criticism of the paper is that there are no names attached to the document, however, it is recognized that the main sections were written by the expert for each pathogen/disease topic. Continuing the a discussion from the 2008 meeting in St. Louis: do we need a one-page cover? Given the increase in use of foliar fungicides, the group felt it was important to expand the section on foliar diseases. Another question that was discussed was if we needed to prioritize topics, especially to improve material on the basic biology for many of the pathosystems? (iv) Standard Methods for Rating Foliar Diseases: Discussion focused on how to adapt our ratings to provide a practical application for growers. Different examples were illustrated and the group agreed to share their different rating systems. This information will be compiled and provided to consultants. Main questions that require further discussion include: how best to standardize ratings, whether rating scales should be used, and how to assess the entire plant canopy. (v) Soybean Rust Concerns: Since the discovery of soybean rust in 2004, there has been a massive effort to both monitor and conduct research on soybean rust. Has the effort been well received? Based on surveys from Iowa, 98.5% of surveyed participants (mostly industry and consultants) keep track of rust and use multiple sources like University Extension, ipmPIPE, and other sources. Fifty three percent of survey participants have found the ipmPIPE very useful and 47% have found it somewhat useful. Over half (53%) have used the ipmPIPE to make decisions to not apply a foliar fungicide and most appear concerned of the potential impacts of discontinuing funding and the ipmPIPE. Many questions still remain regarding the efficacy of foliar fungicides, detection methods like ELISA, PCR, QT-PCR, the use of resistance (including single gene and partial), and pathogen biology and genetic variation.

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