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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » People & Locations » Robert Upchurch
Robert G Upchurch
Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research
Research Plant Pathologist

Phone: (919) 515-6820
Fax: (919) 515-7716

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Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Identification and characterization of large DNA deletions affecting oil quality traits in soybean seeds through transcriptome sequencing analysis Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Goettel, H.W., Ramirez, M.E., Upchurch, R.G., An, Y. 2016. Identification and characterization of large DNA deletions affecting oil quality traits in soybean seeds through transcriptome sequencing analysis. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 129(8):1577-1593. doi:10.1007/s00122-016-2725-z.
Identification and characterization of transcript polymorphisms in soybean lines varying in oil composition and content Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Goettel, H.W., Xia, E., Upchurch, R.G., Wang, M.L., Chen, P., An, Y. 2014. Identification and characterization of transcript polymorphisms in soybean lines varying in oil composition and content. Biomed Central (BMC) Genomics. 15:299.
Identification of transcript polymorphisms for seed quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
An, Y., Goettel, H.W., Upchurch, R.G., Wang, M.L., Xia, E., Liu, Z., Chen, P. 2014. Identification of transcript polymorphisms for seed quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity (abstract). Plant & Animal Genome. Paper No. 036.
Effect of Delta 9–Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturase-C mutants in a high oleic background on soybean seed oil composition - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ruddle, P., Cardinal, A., Upchurch, R.G., Miranda, L.M. 2014. Effect of Delta 9–Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturase-C mutants in a high oleic background on soybean seed oil composition. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. Vol. 127, pp. 349-358.
Mapping the low palmitate fap1 mutation and validation of its effects on soybean oil and agronomic traits in three soybean populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cardinal, A., Whetten, R., Wang, S., Auclair, J., Hyten, D., Cregan, P.B., Bachlava, E., Gillman, J.D., Dewey, R., Upchurch, R.G., Miranda, L.M., Burton, J.W. 2014. Mapping the low palmitate fap1 mutation and validation of its effects on soybean oil and agronomic traits in three soybean populations. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127:97-111.
Agronomic effects of mutations in two soybean Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturases - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ruddle, P., Cardinal, A., Upchurch, R.G., Arellano, C., Miranda, L.M. 2013. Agronomic effects of mutations in two soybean Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturases. Crop Science. 53:1-7.
Genetic diversity and origins of Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolates in the United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, X., Freire, M., Le, M., Hartman, G.L., Upchurch, R.G., Pedley, K.F., Stacey, G. 2012. Genetic diversity and origins of Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolates in the United States. Asian Journal of Plant Pathology. 6:52-65.
Effect of a novel mutation in a Delta 9–Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturase on soybean seed oil composition - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ruddle, P., Whetten, R., Cardinal, A., Upchurch, R.G., Miranda, L.M. 2012. Effect of a novel mutation in a Delta 9–Stearoyl-ACP-Desaturase on soybean seed oil composition. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 126:241-249.
Identification of genes/loci and functional markers for seed oil quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity - (Abstract Only)
Chen, P., Upchurch, R.G., An, Y. 2012. Identification of genes/loci and functional markers for seed oil quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity [abstract]. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Soybean Biennial Conference. Available: http://www.osc.iastate.edu/mnet/soybean/level7.html.
Effects of temperature during soybean seed development on defense-related gene expression and fungal pathogen accumulation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2011. Effects of temperature during soybean seed development on defense-related gene expression and fungal pathogen accumulation. Biotechnology Letters. 33:2397-2404. 2011.
Soybean fatty acid desaturase pathway: reponses to temperature changes and pathogen infection - (Book / Chapter)
Upchurch, R.G. 2011. Soybean fatty acid desaturase pathway: reponses to temperature changes and pathogen infection. Pp. 113-128. In D. Krezhova (ed.) Soybean-genetics and novel techniques for yield enhancement. InTech Open Access Press. Vienna, Austria. 2011.
Soybean plastidal omega-3 fatty acid desaturase genes GmFAD7 and GmFAD8: structure and expression - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2011. Soybean plastidal omega-3 fatty acid desaturase genes GmFAD7 and GmFAD8: structure and expression. Crop Science. 51:1673-1682.
Glycine max cultivar Dare chloroplast fatty acid desaturase 7 (FAD7) gene, complete cds; nuclear gene for chloroplast product - (Research Notes)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2011. Glycine max cultivar Dare chloroplast fatty acid desaturase 7 (FAD7) gene, complete cds; nuclear gene for chloroplast product. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Published online.
Glycine max cultivar Dare chloroplast fatty acid desaturase 8 (FAD8) gene, complete cds; nuclear gene for chloroplast product - (Research Notes)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2011. Glycine max cultivar Dare chloroplast fatty acid desaturase 8 (FAD8) gene, complete cds; nuclear gene for chloroplast product. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Published online..
Defense-related gene expression in soybean leaves and seeds inoculated with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meriodinales - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G. and Ramirez, M.E. 2010. Defense-related gene expression in soybean leaves and seeds inoculated with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meriodinales. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 75:64-70.
Pathogen growth in soybean seeds: relationships with fatty acid composition and defense gene expression - (Abstract Only)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2010. Pathogen growth in soybean seeds: relationships with fatty acid composition and defense gene expression. Biennial Conference on Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Soybean, August 8-11, 2010.
Gene expression profiles of soybeans with mid-oleic acid seed phenotype - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G. and Ramirez, M.E. 2010. Gene expression profiles of soybeans with mid-oleic acid seed phenotype. J. of the Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 87:857-864.
Defense gene induction in soybean seeds after infection with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum - (Abstract Only)
Upchurch, R.G., Ramirez, M.E. 2009. Defense gene induction in soybean seeds after infection with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum. Phytopathology, 99:S132.
Defense gene induction in the compatible interaction of soybean with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum - (Abstract Only)
Upchurch, R.G. and Ramirez, M.E. 2008. Defense gene induction in the compatible interaction of soybean with Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum. International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics.
INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING LEAF SPOT DISEASE RESISTANCE IN SUGAR BEET - (Book / Chapter)
Upchurch, R.G. and Kuykendall, L.D. 2010. Innovative strategies for improving leaf spot disease resistance in sugar beet. In: Lartey, R.T, Weiland, J.H., Panella, L., Crous, P.W., Windels, C.E., editors. Cercospora leaf spot of sugar beet and related species. St. Paul, MN: APS Press. p. 173-179.
Development of an Agrobacterium-based transformation system for Rhizoctonia solani - (Abstract Only)
Takeshi, T., Upchurch, R.G., and Marc, G. 2010. Development of an Agrobacterium-based transformation system for Rhizoctonia solani. Proc. 4th International Rhizoctonia Symposium, S1028 Berlin, Germany.
Mutations in a novel 9-stearoyl-ACP-desaturase gene are associated with enhanced stearic acid levels in soybean seeds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, P., Burton, J.W., Upchurch, R.G., Shanklin, J., Whittle, E., Dewey, R. 2008. Mutations in a novel 9-stearoyl-ACP-desaturase gene are associated with enhanced stearic acid levels in soybean seeds. Crop Sci. 48:2305-2313.
Fatty acid unsaturation, mobilization, and regulation in the response of plants to stress - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G. 2008. Fatty acid unsaturation, mobilization, and regulation in the response of plants to stress. Biotechnol. Lett. 30:967-977.
Relationships between oleic and linoleic acid content and seed colonization by Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Xue, H., Upchurch, R.G., Kwanyuen, P. 2008. Relationships between seed oleic and linoleic acid content and seed colonization by Cercospora kikuchii and Diaporthe phaseolorum. Plant Disease 92:1038-1042.
CFP Positive Progeny from Genetic Crosses of Elite Germplasm with a Transgenic Sugar Beet - (Other)
Kuykendall, L.D., Upchurch, R.G., Panella, L.W., Lewellen, R.T., Saunders, J.W. 2007. Cfp positive progeny from genetic crosses of elite germplasm with a transgenic sugar beet. Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report. pp. E5-E12.
Effect of temperature on microsomal omega-3 linoleate desaturase gene expression and linolenic acid content in developing soybean seeds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Byfield, G., Upchurch, R.G. 2007. Effect of temperature on microsomal omega-3 linoleate desaturase gene expression and linolenic acid content in developing soybean seeds. Crop Science, 47:2445-2452.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON DELTA-9 STEAROYL-ACP AND MICROSOMAL OMEGA-6 DESATURASE GENE EXPRESSION AND FATTY ACID CONTENT IN DEVELOPING SOYBEAN SEEDS - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Byfield, G.E., Upchurch, R.G. 2007. Effect of temperature on delta-9 stearoyl-acp and microsomal omega-6 desaturase gene expression and fatty acid content in developing soybean seeds. Crop Science, 47:1698-1704.
ERGOSTEROL AS A QUANTIFIABLE BIOMASS MARKER FOR DIAPORTHE PHASEOLORUM AND CERCOSPORA KIKUCHII - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Xue, H., Upchurch, R.G., Kwanyuen, P. 2006. Ergosterol as a quantifiable biomass marker for diaporthe phaseolorum and cercospora kikuchii. Plant Disease, Vol. 90:1395-1398.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON MICROSOMAL OMEGA-6 DESATURASE GENE EXPRESSION AND LINOLEIC/OLEIC ACID CONTENT IN SOYBEAN SEEDS - (Abstract Only)
Upchurch, R.G., Byfield, G. 2006. Effect of temperature on microsomal omega-6 desaturase gene expression and linoleic/oleic acid content in soybean seeds. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Soybean Biennial Conference. Soy 2006 Abstracts, p. 74.
TWO SOLUBLE DELTA-9 STEAROYL-ACP DESATURASE GENES FROM SOYBEAN - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Byfield, G.E., Xue, H., Upchurch, R.G. 2006. Two soluble delta-9 stearoyl-acp desaturase genes from soybean. Crop Science. Vol. 46:840-846.
EXPRESSION OF THE CERCOSPORIN TRANSPORTER, CFP, IN TOBACCO REDUCES FROG-EYE LESION SIZE - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Upchurch, R.G., Rose, M., Eweida, M., Zuo, W. 2005. Expression of the cercosporin transporter, cfp, in tobacco reduces frog-eye lesion size. Biotechnology Letters 27:1543-1550.
QUANTIFICATION OF FUNGAL INFECTION OF SOYBEAN SEED USING ERGOSTEROL AS AN INDICATOR OF FUNGAL BIOMASS - (Abstract Only)
Xue, H.Q., Upchurch, R.G., Kwanyuen, P., Dewey, R. 2005. Quantification of fungal infection of soybean seed using ergosterol as an indicator of fungal biomass. American Phytopathological Society, 95:S114.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON DESATURASE ALLELE EXPRESSION AT VARIOUS STAGES OF SEED DEVELOPMENT IN SOYBEAN - (Abstract Only)
Byfield, G.E., Xue, H., Upchurch, R.G. 2004. Effects of temperature on desaturase allele expression at various stages of seed development in soybean [abstract]. Soy2004 Conference, Columbia, MO, 08-11 August 2004.
EXPRESSION IN SUGAR BEET OF THE INTRODUCED CERCOSPORIN TOXIN EXPORT GENE CFP FROM CERCOSPORA KIKUCHII, THE CAUSATIVE ORGANISM OF PURPLE SEED STAIN IN SOYBEAN - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kuykendall, L.D., Upchurch, R.G. 2004. Expression in sugar beet of the introduced cercosporin toxin export gene cfp from cercospora kikuchii, the causative organism of purple seed stain in soybean. Biotechnology Letters. 26:723-727.
EXPRESSION IN SUGAR BEET OF THE INTRODUCED CERCOSPORIN TOXIN EXPORT (CFP) GENE FROM CERCOSPORA KIKUCHII, THE CAUSATIVE ORGANISM OF PURPLE SEED STAIN IN SOYBEAN - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kuykendall, L.D., Upchurch, R.G. 2004. Expression in sugar beet of the introduced cercosporin toxin export (cfp) gene from cercospora kikuchii, the causative organism of purple seed stain in soybean. Biotechnology Letters, 26:723-727.