Project Number: 6402-21220-010-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 09, 2006
End Date: Jun 09, 2011

Objective:
The objective is to evaluate the resistance of public and private soybean varieties and breeding lines to the most serious diseases present in the southern United States.

Approach:
The Delta Research and Extension Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Stoneville, Mississippi, will obtain seed from the entries in the Mississippi Soybean State Variety Trials, which averages 205 entries in Maturity Groups IV-VI. Additional seed of Maturity Group III and breeding lines from the USDA soybean breeder at Stoneville will also be obtained. These varieties and breeding lines will be screened for resistance to the following diseases: (1). Stem Canker -- The Toothpick method of inoculation will be used to evaluate resistance to this disease; (2). Frogeye Leaf Spot -- Spores from selected races which are prevalent in Mississippi will be sprayed on the soybeans; (3). Cercospora blight, purple leaf stain -- Leaves and immature pods will be inoculated; (4). Charcoal rot -- Plants will be grown in field infested with the casual fungus; and (5). Soybean rust -- Entries planted in replicated plots will be evaluated for natural infection. Other foliar diseases of soybean will be evaluated if present in field plots.