2004 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Minimum tillage systems have been widely adopted on the rolling uplands of the upper midsouthern region of the USA to prevent soil erosion. In these systems considerable amounts of seedling and foliar diseases of soybean have been observed. Also, there is the possibility that soybean rust, another foliar disease of soybean now prevalent in South America, could soon become a problem for USA producers. Research is needed to control these diseases while maintaining the soil preservation practices. Short-term control of the diseases will likely involve the use of fungicides; therefore, efficacy of fungicide application methods will be evaluated for control of endemic foliar diseases. These diseases will also serve as a proxy for soybean rust if that disease becomes established in the United States. Soil fertility and other management practices will be evaluated for their impact on soybean diseases. This research relates to National Program 303, Plant Diseases. Longer-term research will involve developing germplasm with resistance to the endemic foliar diseases and soybean rust. This research relates to National Program 301, Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement. This research should decrease losses to soybean producers caused by foliar diseases while maintaining the benefits of soil and water quality preservation obtained from the use of minimum tillage systems in this region. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. This is a new project and the two scientists for this project are not yet on board. Formal milestones have not been developed for this project, but the objectives for the project are to abate increases in disease pressure that are attributable to soil conservation practices on highly erodible soils of Tennessee and Southern states, to enhance soybean resistance to relevant foliar diseases in no-tillage production systems, and to determine the interaction of soil nutrients stress and water quality on disease incidence in site-specific soybean production systems. 3.Milestones: A. Since this is a new project and no scientists are on board in this fiscal year, none of the objectives were met this year. One scientist was hired to report in October 2004. Recruitment of the second scientist should begin in September 2004. No accomplishments were made because no scientists were on board this year. Although formal milestones have not been identified for this project, the following are reasonable goals: FY 2005 Hire plant pathologist Initiate fungicide tests for control of foliar disease Initiate experiments on soil nutrient stress and disease Evaluate germplasm for resistance to foliar diseases FY 2006 Initiate crosses to develop improved germplasm resistant to foliar diseases Initiate early planting studies for escape of foliar diseases FY 2007 Complete initial fungicide testing Complete initial experiments on soil nutrient stress and disease 4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This is a new project resulting from an FY 2004 appropriations increase. Two specific cooperative agreements were established late in the year to aid the research effort. An agronomist has been hired who will report in October, and recruitment of a plant pathologist should begin by October. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. None. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. None.