Soy Productivity

Germplasm and Breeding Initiative (GBI)
Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center (SDBC)
Weeds Managed Research Area
Soybean Cyst Nematode Managed Research Area
Soybean Diseases and Pests Managed Research Area
Related Soy Productivity Links

Germplasm and Breeding Initiative (GBI)

Principal Investigator: Peter Goldsmith (University of Illinois)
Principal Contact: Linda Sue Kull

The Germplasm and Breeding Initiative seeks to expand the genetic base of the North American soybean germplasm by exploiting new genetic sources. Genetic variation in commercial soybean varieties grown in the United States is limited with only three ancestors providing 50% of all the genes. This narrow genetic base limits the potential for genetic improvement of soybeans. Discovery and incorporation of new genes to increase yield potential, reduce disease and pest vulnerability, and enhance desirable composition characteristics will bring value to the soybean industry.

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Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center (SDBC)

Principal Investigators: Peter Goldsmith (University of Illinois)
Principal Contact: Linda Sue Kull

The Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center, headquarter at the University of Illinois, is established as a major line of defense against diseases that threaten the U.S. soybean industry. The Center brings the power of new sciences of structural, comparative, functional genomics, genetic transformation, and exotic germplasm to bear on current and potential soybean diseases. Center research teams will dissect and elucidate the complex interactions of soybean with specific pathogens, develop novel resistance genes through directed evolution techniques, identify and regulate fungal-toxic compounds to control pathogen growth, characterize pathogen virulence genes, and employ a novel gene therapy approach to overcome soybean transformation challenges and create new mechanisms of disease tolerance and resistance. Additionally, the Center will conduct investigations of societal acceptance factors including the role of intellectual property. The Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center is dedicated to the advancement of agricultural sciences and the increase in food and feed production in the U.S. through cooperation with Land Grant universities.

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Weeds Managed Research Area

Team Leaders: Aaron Hager (University of Illinois) and Bryan Young (Southern Illinois University)
Principal Contact: Linda Sue Kull

The Weed Managed Research Area (MRA) provides coordination of collaborating institutions and agencies to develop, implement, and disseminate weed management practices and information that promote integrated pest management, the preservation of yield potential, and the enhancement of profitability for the soybean producer. The Weed MRA objectives are to develop weed management systems for priority weeds of Illinois, investigate and reduce soybean stress related to weed management practices, evaluate herbicide application technologies, foster the sustainable use of natural resources in Illinois, investigate weed ecology, biology and molecular genetics of problem species, and communicate weed research information.

USDA/ARS weeds internet site http://arsweeds.cropsci.uiuc.edu/bioeco.html
UIUC Extension Pest Management internet site http://ipm.uiuc.edu/
SIU weeds internet site http://www.siu.edu/~weeds/

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Soybean Cyst Nematode Managed Research Area

Team Leaders: Terry Niblack (University of Illinois) and Jason Bond (Southern Illinois University)
Principal Contact: Linda Sue Kull

The SCN MRA seeks to develop management strategies to reduce yield loss caused by Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) and to effectively disseminate Illinois research findings and recommendations. Objectives are to identify resistant varieties, identify and integrate new resistance genes into elite germplasm, and to determine which production strategies will protect the effectiveness of current resistance genes. Research on the organism includes identifying virulence genes, determining the frequency of certain genotypes of SCN in Illinois, and the interaction of SCN with other prominent soybean pathogens in Illinois.

Jason Bond’s web page is www.scnresearch.info/SCN.htm

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Soybean Diseases and Pests Managed Research Area

Team Leaders: Linda Kull (University of Illinois) and Jason Bond (Southern Illinois University)
Principal Contact: Linda Sue Kull

The Soy Diseases and Pests MRA seeks to provide current information on the level of resistance to the most common plant diseases in commercial soybean varieties. The Program also will determine the potential for new races/isolates of pathogens before they become epidemics in the field. We will study the response of soybean diseases and pests to the various tillage practices used in different areas of Illinois. In addition, we will utilize surveys, both ground and aerial, to provide updated information on the distribution and severity of key soybean diseases in the state. The Soy Diseases and Pests MRA teams evaluate commercial varieties for reaction to fungal diseases, viral pathogens, and soybean cyst nematode, characterize pathogenic and molecular variability among soybean pathogens and pests, develop strategies for soybean disease and pest management, survey current and emerging diseases and pests throughout Illinois, and provide outreach to extension, crop consultants and growers with current information on the management of soybean diseases.

Glen Hartman's web page is www.soydiseases.uiuc.edu/index.cfm
On Target-an annual summary of field crop insect management trials
The Bulletin-pest management and crop development information for Illinois

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Related Soy Productivity Links

		Illinois Agronomy Handbook - an on-line resource for practical information about agronomy and farming, including chapters on soybeans, corn, hay & pasture, nutrient management, soil fertility, water management, insects, on-farm research, and more.
		Mid America CropLife Association - identifies issues relating to crop protection and takes actions to address those issues important to their membership
		CropLife America- represents the major manufacturers, formulators and distributors of crop protection, pest control, and biotechnology products.
		National Agricultural Pest Information System - database for the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), maintained by the Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS)
		Council for Biotechnology Information - a comprehensive communication campaign about biotechnology; committed to providing objective, balanced information in understanding and appreciating the benefits biotechnology offers, as well as to encourage informed debate about the issues it raises.
		Michigan State Integrated Pest Management Resources - Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert newsletters offer advice that matches the demands of the current growing season
		Purdue University Botany and Plant Pathology - Botany and Plant Pathology home page with links to sites on crop diseases, herbicide injury symptoms, and plan and pesticide diagnostic lab.
		Purdue Entomology - Entomology department home page with links to research, extension and the Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems.
		Integrated Pest Management at Iowa State University - Plant pathology, pest management, and entomology information
		Iowa State Plant Pathology - Information about disease resistance, SCN, and plan diseases
		Weed Science Society of America - weed and herbicide information, plus links to regional weed science societies.
		SoyGrowers.com - covers soy related subjects in areas such as farmer advocacy, farm community issues, soy info center, soy products, farm shopping and association news. From ASA
		American Society of Agronomy - dedicated to the development of agriculture enabled by science, in harmony with environmental and human values
		International Plant Nutrition Institute - provides information on fertilization basics, research summaries, soil testing, and education in crop management and improvement.
		American Phytopathology Society - a non-profit, professional, scientific organization dedicated to the study and control of plant diseases.
		SIU Plant Pathology - Southern Illinois University site for soybean sudden death syndrome, soybean cyst nematode, breeding, and their Soybean Center
		SIU Weed Science - Southern Illinois University site for weed research and updates, herbicide background, and weed identification
		Iowa State Weed Science - Extensive collection of links for crop and weed web sites
		Colorado State Entomology - Offers an extensive listing of entomology related web links

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