North Central Soybean Research Program

“Presented to the board at the meeting held on december 11, 2015”

“Annually the board is required to disclose conflicting interests. Board members are required to recuse themselves from any vote if there is a conflict.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request.”

“(20) Project Title: Evaluation and Development of a Biological Control Product to Control Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome and White MoldPrinciple Investigator and Co-PIs: X.B. Yang, Iowa State University, [email protected] Navi, Iowa State University, [email protected] Carl Alan Bradley, University of Illinois [email protected] Youfu Zhao, University of Illinois, [email protected] James Kurle, University of Minnesota, [email protected] Amount and Project Year: $175,947, 2nd year of three year projectBrief Statement of Objectives: Sudden death syndrome (SDS) and white mold are two of the most important fungal diseases in soybean production in the US, affecting 40 - 50 million acres in the North Central Region. These two diseases threaten the sustainable production of soybean in the North Central Region. Biological control products are the future for disease management in row crops and private industry has made significant progress in development of biological fungicides for row crops. The goal of this proposal is to evaluate their effectiveness of potential biological control agent in other states of the North Central Region and develop the agent into a product for commercial use, which will provide reliable and cost-effective control of SDS and white mold of soybean. Project Objectives: oTo conduct multi-state field evaluation for fungal biological control agents that are found effective in reducing soybean sudden death syndrome and white mold.oTo investigate a wide-host-range bacterial bio-control agent that is effective in killing SDS and white mold pathogens for management of SDS and white mold in Illinois.oTo collect data of prototype product of the biological control agent for commercializationoTo determine if application of the biocontrol agent to crop residues of corn, alfalfa, or soybean can reduce inoculums production, infection, and disease caused by F. virguliforme and Sclerotinia.”

“(1) Project Title: Breeding to improve resistance to SDS in soybean as a means to protect yield Delivering resistant varieties and linesPrincipal Investigador: Silvia R. Cianzio, [email protected]. Co-Pis: B. Diers, J. Orf. D. Wang, P. Chen, S. Kantartzi, G. Hartmann, J. Bond Budget Amount: $176,663 Year: 2 of 3 Brief Statement of Objectives: Breeding high yield SDS-resistant soybean cultivars in Maturity Groups I to VI for farmers, and seed industry. Objectives that support Objective 1: 1) Identify new sources of resistance to SDS; 2) Evaluation of SDS-field resistance of public experimental linesBackground information. An ideal production approach for managing sudden death syndrome (SDS) is the planting of resistant cultivars. Development of soybean resistant cultivars is difficult and time consuming, since SDS genetic resistance is determined by numerous genes, each and every one interacting with the production environment. The number of SDS-resistant cultivars is presently limited. A group of soybean breeders already working on developing SDS resistant germplasm at different institutions was brought together to this project. (2) Project Title: Enhancing disease resistance through biotechnologyPrincipal Investigators: Tom Clemente (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dept. of Agronomy & Horticulture, N308 Beadle Center, Lincoln, NE 68588-0665) e-mail: [email protected] phone: 402-472-1428 fax: 402-472-3139Budget Amount & Project Year: $149, 445 / 2014-2015Statement of Objectives:Our team is designing genetic constructs under control of two different constitutive promoters elements that will express two distinct types of interfering RNAs, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or microRNAs (miRNAs). Our approach, first utilizes a developed throughput screen to identify additional target genes in the aphid and two, prioritize these targets gene, coupled with appropriate promoter elements for whole plant transformations. This transdisciplinary approach incorporates expertise in entomology, plant pathology and biotechnology uniquely positions us to address this challenging pest of soybean. Towards this effort we are utilizing a high throughput screen to identify additional targets for silencing in aphids as a means to perturb the insects life cycle, and two, producing transgenic soybean events and subsequently phenotyping T2 populations for resistance.(3) Project Title: Acceleration of Soybean Yield and Composition Improvement through Genomic SelectionPrinciple Investigator and Co-PIs: Brian Diers, Matt Hudson, Pat Brown, Randall Nelson, Katy Martin Rainey, Bill Beavis, Asheesh Singh, George Graef, Jim Specht, and Aaron LorenzBudget Amount and Project Year: Year 1, $354,328Brief Statement of Objectives:The overall objective of this project is to use results from the large, USB funded SoyNAM project to predict the performance of new experimental lines and to test whether these predictions result in the selection of better lines than traditional breeding methods. If these new methods are successful, this will increase the rate of genetic gain in breeding programs. Below are the specific project objectives. The first objective is to test genomic selection in breeding populations. This first step is to use the dataset from the SoyNAM project to optimize methods for using genetic markers to predict yield, protein concentration, and maturity of soybean lines (this is called genomic prediction and when plants or lines are selected with this method, it is call genomic selection). In this objective, predictions for the traits can be made and compared to trait data that is available. The second step is to conduct a breeding experiment using the optimized genomic selection approaches in populations of breeding lines developed by each cooperating breeder. Within each population, lines selected using genomic selection and traditional approaches will be compared to determine which method was the most successful. The second objective is to use of ge”

“(11) Project Title: Developing an Integrated Management and Communication Plan for Soybean Sudden Death SyndromePrinciple Investigator: Daren Mueller, [email protected] Amount and Project Year: $164,811, year 2 of project October 1 March 31, 2015Brief Statement of Objectives:The foundational management strategy for sudden death syndrome (SDS) is using resistant cultivars. However, in years such as 2010 and 2014, when environmental conditions are favorable for disease development, it is evident that resistance alone does not provide adequate control or reduce farmer risk sufficiently. Also, SDS continues to move into new areas. Thus, the main goal of this project is to investigate management options that will help ensure resistant cultivars will be as effective as possible thereby reducing risk as well as providing farmers with maximum economic return on their investment even in unusually conducive SDS conditions. Objective 1. Evaluate if soybean root health can be improved to reduce SDS or be used as an indicator of SDS risk.Objective 2. Determine how shifts in soybean production practices affect the risk of SDS development.Objective 3. Communicate research results with farmers, agribusinesses.Examined the effect of glyphosate on SDS. Study has been published in Plant Disease. Study of effect of interaction between herbicide and seed treatment on SDS is ongoing. We collected and analyzed the first year data. Completed a multi-lab study evaluating performance of six qPCR assays developed for F. virguliforme. The manuscript was submitted for publication to Phytopathology. In this study, we compared the strengths and weakness of all six assays under different research facilities in terms of their specificity, sensitivity, and consistency and also identified an effective protocol for better diagnosis and quantify SDS pathogen. To summarize, assays differed in their performances and also the performance of the same assay varied among the laboratories. An assay developed in Chilvers lab showed the highest sensitivity and the second highest specificity, and thus is suggested as the most useful qPCR assay for F. virguliforme. This assay is currently being used for quantifying F. virguliforme population in root and soil in other objectives. Identified seed treatments to reduce SDS foliar symptoms. We completed a study evaluating planting date and seed treatment effect on SDS development. Manuscripts are being written to peer-reviewed journals. To summarize, ILeVO seed treatment reduced disease severity and increased yield nearly in all plantings and cultivars, with a maximum yield response up to 21% (Roland Iowa). Effect of planting date on foliar SDS symptoms was inconclusive. Although Mid-June plantings did not have higher disease than early plantings it yielded lower grain up to 19 bu/A compared to early May plantings.Evaluated different fungicide products and application methods to see if any would complement cultivar resistance Manuscript is being written for publication in peer-reviewed journal. We are continuing this study in 2015 replacing some products and foliar applications with new chemical and biological products. From this study, the main conclusion was that ILeVO seed treatment and Luna Privilege in-furrow were effective at reducing SDS severity in many different environments compared to the control. Foliar applications of any chemicals had no effect on SDS. Collected SCN, SDS and yield data from all participating states and data analysis is being done. We will continue this experiment in 2015 as well. However, so far we found varieties with Peking source of resistance for SCN had lowest SDS in many environments and varieties with no resistance to SDS and SCN had the highest disease. Presented our preliminary research at professional meetings, on Plant Management Network, gave national and international seminars, media interviews, talk in field days and conferences for farmers and also published in state newslet”

“(15) Project Title: Quantification of viral suppression in SCN populations: nematode virus impact on SCN reproduction and egg viabilityPrinciple Investigator and Co-PIs: Gregory L. Tylka, Iowa State University (PI), Kaustubh Bhalerao and Sadia Bekal, University of Illinois (Co-PIs)Budget Amount and Project Year: $55,000 March 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015 (Year 1) $55,000 October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016 (Year 2)Brief Statement of Objectives:Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), is the most damaging pathogen of soybean in the North Central Region of the USA. This nematode is particularly problematic because eggs survive in the soil for many years, making this pathogen very difficult to manage. A management strategy that would limit SCN egg hatching would be an effective way to disrupt a critical point in the nematode life cycle. Commonly used nematicides, resistant soybean varieties, and nonhost crops do not kill nematode eggs, but newly discovered SCN viruses reproduce in nematode eggs and lower their viability. The overall goal of this project is to quantify the extent of damage viruses inflict on SCN in laboratory and field experiments, with the hope that these viruses may be deployed as self-replicating, SCN-specific biological pesticides in the future. Specific project objectives are: 1) To quantify the damage to SCN caused by viruses and 2) to determine which viruses cause the most damage to SCN.Brief Statement of Expected Deliverables (max 250 words):Our main goal is to quantify the damage that viruses cause on SCN. We will quantify the damage to SCN in both the field and in laboratory experiments. For the field phase of the project, the first goal will be to identify and locate virus-infected SCN populations. The next step will be to assess the extent of damage to SCN reproduction caused by the viruses. In the laboratory studies, we will utilize inbred SCN populations with differing levels of the viruses or no virus at all. These studies will be ongoing throughout the first year and should establish the level of damage to egg hatch rates and nematode mobility. (16) Project Title: Soybean Aphid Management, Resistance, and Outreach in the North Central RegionBudget Amount and Project Year: Project Year 3 of 3; Budget $693,685Reporting Period: October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015Brief Statement of Objectives:The purpose of this project is research and outreach on the soybean aphid, including management, resistance breeding, genomic studies, biological control, and a dedicated outreach objective. This project combines the multidisciplinary expertise of 24 scientists in 12 states. This research proposal is organized into five Programs, each with associated projects. The programs are listed here, with progress on various project objectives described below:Integrated Pest ManagementBreeding and Genetic Resistance to Soybean AphidSoybean Aphid BiotypesBiological ControlExtension and OutreachBrief Statement of Expected Deliverables during Reporting Periods:Research on aphid biotypes capable of surviving on resistant soybeansAnalyses of the cost-effectiveness of seed treatmentsPesticide resistance monitoring for soybean aphidResearch on the relationship between soil nutrients and aphid outbreaksSoybean introductions screened for aphid resistance (ongoing each year)High yielding aphid resistant germplasm with single or stacked genes adapted to maturity groups I to III (Year 3)Resistant/susceptible isolines for use in researchEstablishment of at least one species of aphid parasitoid species in the North Central region, along with information on its impact on soybean aphidLocal and regional extension deliverables (factsheets, field guides, videos, scouting aids, etc.) Capstone event featuring project resultsUpdated content for the NCSRP soybean research website(17) Project Title: Engineered resistance to soybean cyst nematode via induced gene silencing (RNAi)Principle Investigator and Co-PIs: Harold Trick (Project”

“(6) Project Title: Identifying High-yield Genotypes in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection Principle Investigator and Co-PIs: George Graef, University of Nebraska ([email protected]), Kent Eskridge (Statistics, UNL), Randy Nelson (USDA, ARS, Illinois), Brian Diers (University of Illinois), Danny Singh (Iowa State University), Aaron Lorenz and Jim Orf (University of Minnesota), Andrew Scaboo (University of Missouri). Budget Amount and Project Year: $64,500, Year 1 of 3 Brief Statement of Objectives (max 250 words): The overall objective is to identify the best soybean lines in the USDA collection that will increase soybean yields in the north central region. This research will develop ways to efficiently and effectively sample the over 17,000 introduced soybean accessions and identify the best ones to improve yield and quality in US commercial soybean varieties. Less than 20 PIs make up more than 86% of the parentage of modern US soybean cultivars. Effective use of the other 16,980 accessions becomes a sampling issue. So our approach makes use of the 50K SNP genotype information available on all accessions in the collection to evaluate differences among sampling methods related to genetic diversity, yield, and ability to identify genomic regions related to yield in this vast resource that we have available. We used three sampling methods a super saturated design (SSD), cluster method (CLU) and random selection (RAN) -- to choose PI accessions based on the 50K SNP genotype information. The SSD maximizes differences among all entries in the group, so our expectation is that the lines in the SSD group will have greater genetic variation, and a larger variance for yield and other traits that we measure in our evaluations. The ultimate end goal is to facilitate development of high-yielding soybean cultivars for producers by making efficient use of these genetic resources.(7) Project Title: Characterization and Enhancement of Soybean Genetic Resources for Soilborne Disease ResistancePrinciple Investigator and Co-PIs: (PIs) James Kurle, Xianjin Ma, (Co-PIs) Jim Orf, Nevin Young, Kate Rainey.Amount and Project Year: $186,500 (Year 1 of 3)Brief Statement of Objectives (max 250 words):Obj. 1.Evaluate of soybean germplasm for resistance or partial resistance to Phytophthora sojae, Pythium irregulare, P. ultimum, and Fusarium graminearum (Kurle & Orf)Obj. 2.Identify of QTLs underlying resistance to P. sojae, F. graminearum, P. irregulare, and P. ultimum by association mapping (Kurle & Young)Obj. 3.Fine mapping, isolation, and functional verification of two uncharacterized Rps genes conferring resistance to P. sojae (Ma&Rainey)Obj. 4.Develop highly adapted soybean cultivars or experimental lines with major resistance QTLs and Rps genes by marker-assisted selection (Rainey & Orf)Brief Statement of Expected Deliverables (max 250 words):Obj. 1. Relate new QTLs/genes to resistance and partial resistance to P. sojae, P. ultimum, F. graminearum identified in early maturity lines.Obj. 2. Initial results of statistical analysis and association mapping for P. sojae. Obj. 3. Fine mapping of RpsUN2 to a 64-kb region within 430 kb previously associated with marker for this gene.Obj. 4. Introgression of RpsUN1 and RpsUN2 to elite breeding lines developed by Purdue.(8) Project Title: Development of a rapid SCN virulence testPrinciple Investigator and Co-PIs:Lead PI: Kris Lambert, [email protected]: Khalid Meksem, [email protected]: Silvia Cianzio, [email protected] Amount and Project Year: $ 64,000 year 1 of 2Brief Statement of Objectives (max 250 words):This project has the aim of developing an inexpensive, quantitative, DNA-based virulence test based upon the use of recently identified nematode virulence genes, that will take only hours to complete. This project has two main goals:1) Identify new SCN resistance gene combinations focusing on soybean resistance conferred by the Rhg4. 2) Test SCN virulence gene candidates for their abilit”