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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366453
Research Project: Integrated Management of Soybean Pathogens and Pests

Location: Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research

Title: Reduction of Sudden Death Syndrome foliar symptoms and Fusarium virguliforme DNA in roots inoculated with Rhizophagus intraradices

Author
item PAWLOWSKI, MICHELLE - University Of Illinois
item Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2020
Publication Date: 2/15/2020
Citation: Pawlowski, M., Hartman, G.L. 2020. Reduction of Sudden Death Syndrome foliar symptoms and Fusarium virguliforme DNA in roots inoculated with Rhizophagus intraradices. Plant Disease. 104(5):1415-1420. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-19-1500-RE.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-19-1500-RE

Interpretive Summary: There is increasing interest to incorporate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into agricultural production because of the benefits they provide, including protection against pathogens and pests. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean is a devastating disease caused by a soilborne fungus. The overall goal of this study was to determine if soybean roots infected by an AMF species would reduce SDS symptom severity and reduce colonization by the fungal pathogen. There was a 45% and 28% reduction in disease and in fungal pathogen DNA, respectively, in roots of AMF-colonized plants compared to plants not colonized by the AMF species averaged over the six soybean genotypes. A nutrient analysis of root tissues showed increases in nutrient concentrations in plants colonized by the AMF species over those not colonized by the AMF species for phosphorus, potassium sulfur, boron, and sodium. This study showed that AMF colonization considerably reduced SDS severity while simultaneously increasing growth and nutrient uptake of plants. This work is important to plant pathologist, industry scientists working on non-chemical control of SDS, and to growers that may use these tools in the future to manage SCN.

Technical Abstract: There is increasing interest to incorporate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into agricultural production because of the benefits they provide, including protection against pathogens and pests. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean is a devastating disease caused by the soilborne pathogen Fusarium virguliforme. Multiple management methods are needed to control SDS. The relationship between F. virguliforme and AMF is not well documented. The overall goal of this study was to determine if soybean roots infected by the AMF species, Rhizophagus intraradices, would reduce SDS symptom severity and reduce colonization by F. virguliforme. Six soybean genotypes were inoculated with F. virguliforme and with or without R. intraradices in a greenhouse experiment. Averaged over the six soybean genotypes, there was a reduction (P < 0.05) of 45% and 28% in area under the disease progress curve values and in relative F. virguliforme DNA quantities, respectively, in roots of R. intraradices-colonized plants compared to plants without R. intraradices. Root weight of R. intraradices-colonized plants increased (P < 0.05) by 58% compared to plants not colonized by R. intraradices. A nutrient analysis of root tissues showed increases (P < 0.05) in nutrient concentrations in plants colonized by R. intraradices over those not colonized by R. intraradices for phosphorus, potassium sulfur, boron, and sodium. This study showed that R. intraradices considerably reduced SDS severity and F. virguliforme colonization while simultaneously increasing growth and nutrient uptake of plants. With the benefits gained from inoculation of R. intraradices, AMF should be considered as a potential strategy to manage the impact of SDS on soybean production.