Project Number: 6402-42000-003-05
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
Determine the role of botryodiplin and gigantenone toxin complex comparing tolerant and susceptial varieties planted in the variety testing program trials throughout Mississippi. Further evaluate specific nutrients and toxin production in plants to determine exact interactions for improved control and managmenet of M. phaseolina. Collect isolates of M. phaseolina throughout the U.S. to future confirm that the pathogen consistently produces botryodiplodin and gigantenone as the main toxins associated with charcoal rot disease.

Approach:
Field and greenhouse studies will be used to evaluate variety resistance to damage caused by M. phaseolina. Replicated field and greenhouse trails will be established at Starkville and Stoneville using two different varieties comparing select Ca treatments (rates, forms and timing) to determine if 1) improved uptake occurred in the plants and 2) monitor toxin production and disease development. Fields will be selected with a known history of M. phaseolina occurrence. Samples of plant tissues with charcoal rot disease will be obtained from a wide variety of sources, as well as samples of soil from fields where the disease is found in the U.S.