Damping off of soybean and corn, caused by Pythium spp., is favored by cool temperatures and wet soil conditions and is primarily managed using fungicide seed treatments. The goal of this research was to determine the effect of temperature on aggressiveness and fungicide sensitivity of Pythium spp. recovered from soybean and corn in Iowa. A total of 21 isolates of four of the most prevalent Pythium spp. in Iowa were screened. Seed and seedling assays were used to quantify the aggressiveness of P. lutarium, P. oopapillum, P. sylvaticum, and P. torulosum on soybean and corn at 13, 18, and 23°C. Isolates recovered from soybean or corn were equally pathogenic on both hosts. P. torulosum was more aggressive at 13°C compared with 18 and 23°C. Conversely, P. sylvaticum was more aggressive at 18 and 23°C than at 13°C. A plate assay was used to assess fungicide sensitivity to seven fungicides that are commonly used as seed treatments, and EC50 values at each of the three temperatures were determined and compared. EC50 values for P. torulosum were higher for all fungicides tested at 13°C, compared with 18 or 23°C, whereas EC50 values for P. sylvaticum were higher for all fungicides at 18 and 23°C compared with 13°C. These data contribute to our understanding of the effect of soil temperature on the risk of soybean and corn damping off, which may aid in the development of more effective management practices.

Laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were conducted in 1972 and 1973 on the efficacy of controlling yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL.) in soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] with bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide], glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], and perfluidone [1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl] methanesulfonamide]. Young nutsedge plants (four- to six-leaf stage) were more susceptible to foliar sprays of the three herbicides than were older (six- to eight-leaf stage) plants. Foliar application of bentazon resulted in slow acropetal translocation of the herbicide, but killed the parent tubers. Good coverage of the foliage by bentazon sprays is essential, because the bentazon frequently kills only the foliage contacted by the spray. Applied as a postemergence broadcast spray, glyphosate injured soybeans severely at rates higher than 0.3 kg/ha, but did not satisfactorily control yellow nutsedge at rates less than 2.2 kg/ha. Perfluidone was active on yellow nutsedge when applied to either soil or foliage; yellow nutsedge was controlled best with preplant incorporated treatments at 4.5 kg/ha. Applications of 4.5 kg/ha perfluidone in the field significantly injured soybeans and reduced yields.

With the rapid emergence of novel pathogen pathotypes, durable sources of resistance against Phytophthora sojae in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] are needed to manage Phytopthora stem and root rot (PRR). This study used an inoculum source composed of multiple isolates of the pathogen to characterize partial resistance (PR) to P. sojae in plant introduction (PI) 399036. Two recombinant inbred line (RIL) F5:7 populations developed by crossing PI 399036 (high PR), with two germplasm lines (low PR), AR2 (AX20925) and AR3 (AX20931), were screened. Corrected dry weights (CDW—root and shoot) and percentage root rot data were collected. Inclusive composite interval mapping identified one putative quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 2 by all disease assessment parameters in the AX20925 population that explained 6 to 14% of the total phenotypic variation and five putative minor QTL on 5 chromosomes (3, 6, 12, 15, and 19) that individually explained 5 to 9% of the phenotypic variation. In the AX20931 population, two QTL, mapped to chromosome 9 and 17, were commonly identified by CDW while the QTL identified on chromosome 9 accounted for 21 to 30% of the total phenotypic variation. Additional QTL identified by CDW on chromosomes 9, 13, 14, and 15 individually accounted for 5 to 8% of the phenotypic variation. PI 399036 contributed the favorable alleles for the majority of the identified QTL. This study demonstrates the usefulness of PI 399036 as a novel source for breeding for resistance to PRR and that an inoculum mixture of P. sojae isolates with varying pathotypes can be used to identify putative QTL for PR to P. sojae using the rice (Oryza sativa) method.

Soybean cultivars with specific single resistance genes (Rps) are grown to reduce yield loss due to Phytophthora stem and root rot caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora sojae. To identify novel Rps loci, soybean lines are often screened several times, each time with an isolate of P. sojae that differs in virulence on various Rps genes. The goal of this study was to determine whether several isolates of P. sojae that differ in virulence on Rps genes could be combined into a single source of inoculum and used to screen soybean lines for novel Rps genes. A set of 14 soybean differential lines, each carrying a specific Rps gene, was inoculated with three isolates of P. sojae, which differed in virulence on 6 to 10 Rps genes, individually or in a 1:1:1 mixture. Inoculum containing the 1:1:1 mixture of isolates was virulent on 13 Rps genes. The mixed-inoculum method was used to screen 1,019 soybean accessions in a blind assay for novel sources of resistance. In all, 17% of Glycine max accessions and 11% of G. soja accessions were resistant (≤30% dead plants), suggesting that these accessions may carry a novel Rps gene or genes. Advantages of combining isolates into a single source of inoculum include reduced cost, ability to screen soybean germplasm with inoculum virulent on all known Rps genes, and ease of identifying novel sources of resistance. This study is a precursor to identifying novel sources of resistance to P. sojae in soybean using RXLR effectors.