Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The ninth meeting of the Soybean Rust Working group was held at the Capitol Center Hilton in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 3-4, 2011. Tom Allen, the committee chair, opened the meeting at 1:00 pm on October 3rd. Dr. Ray Schneider (Louisiana State University) welcomed the group, and thanked all of the meeting sponsors. Dr. John Russin, Director of Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station and Vice Chancellor, LSU Ag Center welcomed the group again. He thanked Ray for his efforts in planning the meeting, and gave an overview of the LSU Ag Center, which focuses on Extension Research for over 50 commodities. Group introductions followed the welcome. Rich Joost (USB) and Dr. David Wright (NCSRP) gave updates about funding for soybean rust research and extension efforts. The lack of rust in recent years has made selling the sentinel program difficult, but Rich Joost focused on the positive outcomes, including disease detection (other than rust), and the quality forecasting system developed by the project. Funding will continue for 2012, however members are encouraged to be inventive on how to present the program for continued funding. NCSRP has been a past supporter of the sentinel plots, but from 2012 on, support will come only from USB or other sources. Dr. Bob Kemerait (UGA) mentioned that sentinel plots are a great success in finding the location of rust, and Rich Joost indicated that that growers were aware that the sentinel plots and monitoring system have been a good value. There was discussion about what USB and NCSRP stakeholders would find relevant in regards to the continuation of this program. David Wright mentioned that his growers would be interested in more than rust, (i.e.developing long range models for spore movement of other diseases (Cercospora, etc.)). Dr. Carl Bradley (Univ. of Illinois) mentioned the sentinel plot system could be used to monitor for fungicide resistance for C. sojina. It was suggested that the sentinel plot system expand to look at other diseases/issues to improve chances of funding in 2013. Dr. Ed Sikora (Auburn) mentioned that the group has appreciated the support of the USB and NCSRP over the years. Dr. Steve Slack (OSU/NCERA 208 Administrative Advisor) gave an update on the NCERA project. Renewal of the NC-208 project was approved in 2011 and renewed for 5 years, through 2016. An updated list of membership is needed. Discussion was initiated on if NCERA-208 should remain a separate committee or join the NCERA-212 or Southern Soybean Disease Workers (SSDW) groups. The discussion focused on focusing on the objectives of the group and emphasizing the significance of our meetings. In upcoming years, the group must decide if we are in a transitory phase and meet for communication purposes rather than research discussion. Tom Allen voiced concern about how to complete the research objectives outlined in the NCERA renewal with limited funding sources. Steve Slack indicated that experiment station directors look for integrated approaches developed as a result of the meeting, and this may be a possibility to complete objectives. Dr. Nick Dufault and Dr. Kiersten Wise presented an update on the new field crop fungicide manual that is tentatively titled, Fungicides in Field Crops. The goal of this new publication is to update and merge two key publications: Field crop fungicides for the North Central United States (2008; http://www.iasoybeans.com/productionresearch/publications/fieldcropfungicides/fieldcropfungicides.pdf), and Using Foliar Fungicides to Manage Soybean Rust (2007; http://oardc.osu.edu/soyrust). The goal of this manual is to provide an updated reference for crop advisors, pesticide applicators, extension educators and other agribusiness personnel. Chapters in the new manual will cover the basics of fungicide usage and application, the decision process to apply a fungicide, fungicide resistance and the FRAC code, conducting on-farm fungicide trials, etc. Daren Mueller, Carl Bradley, and Marty Chilvers are also authors on this publication. The goal of the authors is to have a final version to review at the NCERA 212/SSDW meeting in Pensacola in March of 2012. Presentations: Ed Sikora recounted his observations for soybean rust monitoring. The low disease development in 2011 was attributed to weather patternsextreme cold in Florida reduced overwintering spores, and heat and drought in the south limited disease development. Tropical storm activity was slow, limited potential spread and conditions for disease development. Scott Isard mentioned disease development may have been most impacted by the reduction of overwintering inoculum due to hard freezes in southeastern states. Scott Isard also discussed the impact of Tropical Storm Lee on rust development. Tom Allen presented information about the soybean sentinel plot survey. Even though national funding was reduced, the level of funding for sentinel plots was similar to what it was in past years due to funding through additional sources. Monitoring continues for soybean rust, but monitoring methods have changed in recent years, with less reliance on weekly scouted sentinel plots, and more mobile scouting on an as-needed basis. There was a suggestion about modifying the survey to account for those who do not conduct monitoring activities in individual states. Ed Sikora suggested including a question on the survey regarding how specialists disseminate the information to clientele (i.e. Twitter, etc.). It was suggested that a question be added to assess how information will be disseminated if the PIPE is no longer maintained. Bob Kemerait mentioned that the survey indicates less people are involved in SBR monitoring and perhaps interest is waning within the group. Jim Marois indicated that the data set may not be reflective because of changes in monitoring within individual programs. It was agreed that the survey should be modified for 2012. Dr. Cathie Aime provided an update on the systematics of Phakopsoraceae. She discussed recent efforts to look for rust-specific primers to use for phylogenetic analysis of Pucciniales and other groups. She indicated that recent work maintains that Phakopsora includes 90 species in 5 genera but some may be reclassified. The alternate hosts are still unknown. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM On October 4th, Tom Allen resumed the meeting at 8:00 AM David Walker (University of IL) began the meeting discussing an update on the rust resistance research. As of Oct 2011 there are 5 known genes conferring resistance to SBR. Rpp 1 and 3 are most effective in U.S., but were broken quickly in South America, and in South America Rpp 2 and 4 are the most effective. USB sponsored development of Rpp isolines backcrossed into elite lines which will be used as differentials for characterizing isolates and improved breeding efforts. Germplasm evaluations have occurred from 2009-2011 over several southern locations. Evaluation of resistance has many challengesinfluence of environment, plant maturity groups, and symptom expression in the field, as well as geographic and temporal variation and injury and lesions caused by other pests and pathogens. Dr. Walker discussed using the rust index to assess field resistanceseverity x sporulation. Rust reactions remain consistent over lines, but there is evidence for virulence diversity in some populations across the south (FL, AL, LA). Cultivars showing high resistance in some locations, appear susceptible in Louisiana. David summarized that no lines are immune, rating methods and scales vary, sporulation ratings are necessary, and populations differ in pathogenicity and virulence. Screening for SBR resistance has also provided resistance to other pathogens. Update on breeding/mapping populations: Most SBR resistant parents are from Japan, Vietnam, area. Maturity group influences successharder to introgress resistance into earlier MGs. There is also a limited ability to evaluate lines for resistance and agronomic potential at the same location. To date, 88 PIs with resistance to SBR have been crossed, most contain Rpp 1 or 3. Advanced breeding lines are being tested in Quincy this year and are focused on breeding for additional disease resistance and agronomic traits, and several germplasm releases have promise. Screening opportunities are limited due to climate, but pending germplasm releases will offer breeders sources of effective resistance genes. Mapping and phenotypic characterization of Rpp genes will allow gene stacking, however, patent applications by industry may hinder stacking of resistance genes. Don Hershman (Univ. of Kentucky) phoned in to the meeting and gave an update on the field crops rust symposium to be held in San Antonio December 14-16th. It will focus primarily on wheat, corn, and soybean rust pathogens. The goal of the meeting is to bring scientists together where they can interact and hear about the various rust work being conducted on multiple crops. The hope is that the interactions will lead to new research collaborations and improved ideas for research on the rusts. Registration fees will remain modest to encourage attendance. Proceedings will be available following the meeting. Soybean rust accomplishment discussion: Jim Marois and Nick Dufault provided an overview of the past, present and future research needs for soybean rust. The group had a discussion where the major accomplishments were listed according to three groups: Accomplishments, works in progress, future needs. Points for each area are listed below: Accomplishments: Quickly developed effective SBR disease management recommendations Fungicide registration and efficacy testing Information about optimal application technology Determining kudzu resistance Determined host range of pathogen (major hosts within U.S.) Developed communication platform (PIPE) Defined geographic range of pathogen in U.S. and Canadamay still be some unknowns Understand urediniospore biology in regards to disease management Determined epidemiology in U.S. context Improved grower awareness David commented that growers are very happy with the information that has been produced from the program Established a model to address new pest threats Improved understanding of pathogen diversity and host-pathogen interactions Confidence in the science Works in Progress: Need continued and annual SBR monitoring Need continued improvement in grower awareness Better understanding of pathogen geographic range in Caribbean basin, Mexico, etc. Improved methods/reliance on spore trapping Identifying resistance genes that provide consistent results Understanding molecular genetic diversity Exploring host range (legumes) further Sources of genetic recombination Understand differential response of proteins in RIL Initiate fungicide resistance work Future needs: Sustain PIPEmaintain awareness with stakeholders Determine population distribution of isolates in Caribbean basin Understand pathogen populations and create differentials to characterize populations Alternate host identification Phenotype isolates to determine race structure classification based on field identification Understand overwintering dynamics of pathogen Expand PIPE for other crops/diseases Address population containment issues Improve yield loss assessments for SBR Assess economic management strategies Predictive model validation Understand how global models work Determine if fungicide-resistant spores from Brazil could deposit in U.S. Define soybean rust in the U.S. based on available datawhat is the reality? Create a regional recommendation guide based on local conditions Jim Marois indicated that the results of the discussion would be summarized and presented as a feature article in Plant Disease. Tom Allen will lead this effort with Nick Dufalt and Kiersten Wise helping on the publication. The publication focus on the success stories associated with SBR and highlight future research needs. Jim asked the group to summarize the top three accomplishments or priorities from each category, and the results are as follows: Accomplishments: Mobilization of extension efforts and PIPE development Comprehensive management plan developed Rapid fungicide registration Overview of biology/epidemiology Works in Progress: Improving monitoring/communication Developing host genetic resistance Understand host-pathogen interactions and genetic diversity of pathogen Crop loss assessments Future needs: Understand complete lifecycle and mechanisms of pathogen diversity Develop commercially available host resistance Understand role in fungicide resistance Define SBR for U.S., keep PIPE alive and expand to other crops Tom will also compile any and all publications (Extension and research) into a document that can be hosted on SSDW site. State reports: Tomas Rush (graduate student of Cathie Aime) presented the Louisiana state report and discussed research number of Phakopsora species in the U.S. Up to 20 species have been detected. It is possible that past spore deposition events in northern states (2008) may have not be soybean rust, but other Phakopsora species. Bob Mulrooney presented the Delaware state report and indicated that he will be retiring before the next 208 meeting. He stated that he enjoyed his time with the group. Scott Isard gave an update on the soybean rust component of PIPE. He stated that PIPE will be maintained, but we will lose Julie Golod for 2012. The field crops rust bulletin may or may not be supported from Xedex funds. Modeling and IAMS will continue. Bob Kemerait gave the report for the state of Georgia, and indicated that scouting continues with the same number of sentinel plots as previous years. He also mentioned there is a large increase in disease awareness from producers due to the monitoring and information dissemination put in place due to SBR. John RupeScott Monfort left to Clemson in June, started sentinel system, used agents. Will be replaced by Travis Faske in December. Business meeting: The business meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM by Tom Allen. Kiersten Wise (2011 committee secretary) will chair the committee in 2012. Clayton Hollier nominated Nick for the secretary position and Doug Jardine seconded the motion. Nick was elected the committees secretary by an unanimous vote and the group thanked Nick. Loren Giesler moved that the committee meet with SSDW group in 2013, and Bob Kemerait seconded. It was the general consensus of the group to have the next meeting with SSDW, at whatever location they decided upon at the 2012 meeting. The group thanked Tom Allen for chairing the group and Ray Schneider for organizing the meeting in 2011. The group expressed thanks to David Wright and the North Central Soybean Research Program, Rich Joost and the United Soybean Board, and other various sponsors for picking up the meeting room, refreshments, transportation, and dinner and entertainment associated with the meeting. Tom Allen and Steve Slack reminded the group the need to review memberships, and Kiersten Wise encouraged the group to email state reports to her at kawise@purdue.edu. The business meeting was closed at 4:00 PM Meeting adjourned.

1. Develop and implement a coordinated soybean rust survey and monitoring system based on identifying overwintering inoculum sources and the host range of this pathogen; 2. Identify and evaluate the best disease management strategies for soybean rust in the U.S. including host resistance, fungicide application, cultural measures, and predictive models based on sound epidemiological research; 3. Provide forums for meetings to exchange and share research data among the land grant participants and with industry and commodity groups; and 4. Develop educational materials for identification and management of soybean rust in the U.S. Accomplishments for Objective 1 As of November 9th, 2011, soybean rust has been detected on soybean or kudzu in 14 counties in three states in the United States. Soybean rust was also confirmed Puerto Rico, and in three states in Mexico. This is a decrease in soybean rust distribution in the United States with 45 counties in 7 states confirming soybean rust in 2010, and 583 counties with soybean rust confirmed in 2009. These findings are a direct result of the coordinated soybean rust monitoring system, including the sentinel plot system. This system includes locations in Ontario, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. There were over 175 sentinel plots and many more mobile locations scouted for rust in 2011. These plots included established, or traditional sentinel plots, overwintering plots, and mobile or on-farm sites. Several hosts were scouted in 2011, including soybean, kudzu, jicama, and other legume crops. Soybean rust risk was extremely low in 2011 due to environmental conditions. Many states (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MO, NE, and others) had plans in place to implement mobile scouting should southern sentinel plots and the IPM PIPE indicate that soybean rust was a threat to northern soybean producing areas. Information from sentinel plot monitoring and mobile scouting was uploaded onto the USDA PIPE (Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education) website (http://www.sbrusa.net/) on a weekly basis where the movement of soybean rust could be monitored and the data could be used to develop and evaluate epidemiological models. In addition to soybean rust, these plots were used by many cooperating states and Ontario to collect information on other soybean diseases. Specialists wrote commentaries for their state/province on a regular basis that helped growers and consultants make scouting and fungicide application decisions. Many of the project participants noted the importance of the sentinel plot in supporting no fungicide necessary recommendations. Over 95,000 visits and over 750,000 hits were recorded for the USDA PIPE website during 2010 from January 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010. Of these, the number of hits and visits increased in July and August, indicating that the site was used during peak periods in soybean production.

Buck, J. W., Dong, W., Mueller, D. S. 2010. Effect of light exposure on in vitro germination and germ tube growth of eight species of rust fungi. Mycologia. 102:11341140. Delaney, M., E. J. Sikora, D. P. Delaney, M. E. Palm, J. Roscoe, J. S. Haudenshield and G. L. Hartman. 2011. First Report of Phakopsora pachyrhizi on Pachyrhizus erosus in the United States. Plant Disease 95: 1034 DOI: 1094?PDIS-07-10-0483. Hartman, G. L., Hill, C. B., Twizeyimana, M., Miles, M. R., and Bandyopadhyay, R. 2011. Interaction of soybean and Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the cause of soybean rust. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veternary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 6:(in press). Hartman, G. L., West, E., and Herman, T. 2011. Crops that feed the world 2. Soybean-worldwide production, use, and constraints caused by pathogens and pests. Food Security 3:5-17. Haudenshield, J. S., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Exogenous controls to increase negative call veracity in multiplexed, quantitative PCR assays for Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Plant Disease 95:343-352. Hershman, D. E., E. J. Sikora, and L. J. Giesler. 2011. Soybean Rust PIPE: Past, Present and Future. J. Integ. Pest Mngmt. 2 (2): 2011; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM11001 Isard, S. A., Barnes, C. W., Hambleton, S., Ariatti, A., Russo, J. M., Tenuta, A., Gay, D. A., and Szabo, L. J. 2011. Predicting soybean rust incursions into the North American continental interior using crop monitoring, spore trapping, and aerobiological modeling. Plant Dis. 95:1346-1357. Lemes, E. M., Mackowiak, C. L., Blount, A., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., Coelho, L, and Datnoff, L. E. 2011. Effects of silicon applications on soybean rust development under greenhouse and field conditions. Plant Disease 95:317-324. Miles, M. R., Bonde, M. R., Nester, S. E., Berner, D. K., Frederick, R. D., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Characterizing resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean. Plant Disease 95:577-581. Paul, C., Hill, C. B., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Comparisons of visual rust assessments and DNA levels of Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean genotypes varying in rust resistance. Plant Disease 95:1007-1012. Schneider, K. T., van de Mortel, M., Bancroft, T. J., Braun, E., Nettleton, D., Nelson, R. T., Frederick, R. D., Baum, T. J., Graham, M. A., and Whitham, S. A. (2011). Biphasic gene expression changes elicited by Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean correlates with fungal penetration and haustoria formation. Plant Physiol. 157:355-371. doi:10.1104/pp.111.181149 Srivastava, P., George, S., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., Walker, D. R. 2011. Saccharin-induced systemic acquired resistance against rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) infection in soybean: effects on growth and development. Crop Protection 30:726-732. Twizeyimana, M., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Pathogenic variation of Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolates on soybean in the United States from 2006 to 2009. Plant Disease 95: DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-11-0379. Twizeyimana, M., Ojiambo, P. S., Hartman, G. L., and Bandyopadhyay, R. 2011. Dynamics of soybean rust epidemics in sequential plantings of soybean cultivars in Nigeria. Plant Disease 95:43-50. Twizeyimana, M., Ojiambo, P. S., Haudenshield, J. S., Caetano-Anollés, G., Pedley, K. F., Bandyopadhyay, R., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Genetic structure and diversity of Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolates from soyabean. Plant Pathology 60:719-729. Vittal, R., Yang, H., and Hartman, G. L. 2011. Anastomosis of germ tubes and nuclear migration of nuclei in germ tube networks of the soybean rust pathogen, Phakopsora pachyrhizi. European Journal of Plant Pathology (in press). Walker, D., Boerma, H., Phillips, D., Schneider, R., Buckley, J., Shipe, E., Mueller, J., Weaver, D., Sikora, E., Moore, S., Hartman, G., Miles, M. R., Harris, D., Wright, D. L., Marios, J. J., and Nelson, R. L. 2011. Evaluation of USDA soybean germplasm accessions for resistance to soybean rust in the Southern United States. Crop Science 51:678-693. Young, H. M., Marois J. J., Wright, D. L., Narváez, D. F., and OBrien, K. G. 2011. Epidemiology of soybean rust in soybean sentinel plots in Florida. Plant Disease 95:744-750. Abstracts, Edited Scientific Reports, and Proceedings: Sikora, E. J. 2011. Phakopsora pachyrhizi detected in a soybean sentinel plot in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; 2011. Proceedings of the Southern Soybean Disease Workers 38th Annual Meeting, Pensacola Beach, Florida. Srivastava, P., Andersen P. C. Marois, J., Mizell III, R. F., and Wright D. L. 2011. An in vitro evaluation of chemical and biological agents for control of Botryosphaeria species. Phytopathology 101:S170 Young, H. M., Liberti, D., Harmon, P., Marois, J. J., and Wright, D. L. 2011. Identification of a candidate resistance gene to Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agent of soybean rust, in the alternative host kudzu, Pueraria spp. Phytopathology 101:S199 Extension publications/presentations: Allen, T.W. 2011. General, Regional Soybean Disease Update: September 4, 2011. Mississippi Crop Situation Blog. http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2011/09/04/general-regional-soybean-disease-update-september-3-2011/. Allen, T.W. 2011. General Soybean Disease Update: August 13, 2011. Mississippi Crop Situation Blog. http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2011/08/13/general-soybean-disease-update-august-13-2011/ Allen, T.W. 2011. General Soybean Disease Update: Soybean Sentinel Plot Situation and Regional Soybean Rust Update, July 16, 2011. Mississippi Crop Situation Blog. http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2011/07/16/general-soybean-disease-update-soybean-sentinel-plot-situation-and-regional-soybean-rust-update-july-16-2011/ Allen, T.W. 2011. Soybean Disease Calendars for Maturity Group IV and IV Soybean. Mississippi Crop Situation Blog. http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2011/06/20/soybean-disease-calendars-for-maturity-group-iv-and-v-soybean/ Allen, T.W. 2011. Mississippi Soybean Sentinel Plot Update and Regional Soybean Rust Situation. Mississippi Crop Situation Blog. http://www.mississippi-crops.com/2011/06/04/mississippi-soybean-sentinel-plot-update-and-regional-soybean-rust-situation Bradley, C. A. 2011. Soybean fungicide considerations. University of Illinois Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin, Issue no. 17. Hartman, G. L. 2011 Threats to soybean production caused by pathogens and pests. Agronomy Day, University of Illinois. Mueller, D.S. Soybean rust. Iowa State Daily, September 2011. Mueller, D. End of season soybean rust update. Iowa State University Extension. ICM News (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews). October 2011. Mueller, D., Sisson, A., Hodgson, E., Mallarino, A., McGrath, C., ONeal, M., Pedersen, P., Pilcher, C., Pope, R., Rice, M., Robertson, A., Sawyer, J., Schaefer, K., Simon, K., Tylka, G., and Wright, D. Soybean field guide Second Version Iowa State University Extension: CSI 010. March 2011.