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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270959

Title: Characterization of Pythium spp. collected from corn and soybean soil in Illinois

Author
item JIANG, YINA - University Of Illinois
item Haudenshield, James
item Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2012
Publication Date: 7/3/2012
Citation: Jiang, Y., Haudenshield, J.S., Hartman, G.L. 2012. Characterization of Pythium spp. collected from corn and soybean soil in Illinois. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 34(3):448-454. DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2012.705326.

Interpretive Summary: Pythium root rot is widely distributed in major soybean production areas throughout the world. There are many species of Pythium described on soybean and other crops, although not all species are pathogenic on all crops. The objectives of this study were to isolate, identify, and evaluate the pathogenicity on soybean seedlings of Pythium isolates obtained from field soils at multiple sites across Illinois. Twenty-seven species of Pythium were identified, 14 species were not previously reported as pathogens of soybean, and five species were moderately to highly pathogenic on soybean seedlings. This information is important to plant pathologists, soil microbiologists, and other scientists interested in diversity of soilborne pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Pythium root rot is widely distributed in major soybean (Glycine max) production areas throughout the world. There are many species of Pythium described on soybean and other crops, although not all species are pathogenic on all crops. The objectives of this study were to isolate, identify, and evaluate the pathogenicity on soybean seedlings of Pythium isolates obtained from field soils at multiple sites across Illinois. Soil samples were collected from 12 locations in six counties from corn-soybean rotation fields in Illinois. All isolates of Pythium were recovered through a baiting technique, identified to the species taxon using morphological and molecular techniques, and evaluated in an in vitro pathogenicity assay on soybean seedlings. Twenty-seven species of Pythium were identified, 14 species were not previously reported as pathogens of soybean, and five species were moderately to highly pathogenic on soybean seedlings.