Soybean White Mold Variety Trial – Genesee County, 2018

Jaime Cummings, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program

Figure 1. White mold infection on soybean in the variety trial (photo by Jaime Cummings)

White mold, or Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the most economically important and difficult to manage disease of soybeans across NY State (Figure 1).  This disease is so undermanaged because the pathogen survives for a long time (>10 years) in the soil, making crop rotations a challenging management option.  Fungicide trials in other states have shown great promise for a number of products (https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/Carringtonrec/plant-pathology/fungicide-efficacy-testing-results-2013-soybeans), but application timing and canopy penetration is critical and may require multiple applications during a highly conducive season, which may not be economical.  Genetic resistance to this devastating disease should be a viable option, but many commercial varieties lack even modest levels of resistance.

A large-scale, non-replicated strip field trial was established in Genesee County to evaluate 24 soybean varieties for resistance white mold.  The trial was organized by WNYCMA and planted on 5/1/18 in a field with a long history of white mold infection.  The varieties evaluated in this trial included entries from five seed companies, and were representative of maturity groups 0.7 – 2.8.  The trial was rated for white mold severity on 9/5/18 by Jaime Cummings of the NYS IPM Program and Dr. Gary Bergstrom of Cornell’s field crops pathology program using a 1 to 9 rating scale, where 1 = resistant, and 9 = susceptible.  The disease was well established consistently across all strip plots at the time of rating, despite it being rotated out of soybeans since 2014.  The disease ratings are summarized in Figure 2.

Figure 2. White mold disease severity ratings of 24 soybean varieties in a non-replicated field strip trial, rated on a 1-9 scale, where 1 = resistant and 9 = susceptible.

The ratings for all varieties ranged between 4 and 7, meaning that all varieties were classified as moderately resistant (3.6 – 5.9) or moderately susceptible (6.0 – 7.5) at the time of the rating.  However, the disease would most likely progress in these plots over time, which would likely add one or two points to each rating, pushing many of them into the susceptible category (7.6 – 9).  Even though none of the varieties evaluated showed strong resistance, it is good to note that there are noticeable differences among varieties.

New York soybean growers do have options for selecting varieties with some moderate levels of tolerance to this disease, and should know to avoid planting the most susceptible varieties in fields with a history of the disease.  An integrated management plan which includes crop rotation, canopy management, foliar fungicides and planting tolerant varieties is the best approach to managing white mold in NY.

 

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What’s Cropping Up? Volume 28, Number 3 – July/August 2018

Soybean Soilborne Diseases Appearing Across the State

Jaime Cummings
NY State Integrated Pest Management Field Crops and Livestock Program

Reports, photos and samples have been pouring in with regards to dying soybeans from western and central NY counties.  Some people report general chlorosis and wilting, and others are finding swaths of dead plants.  The drought conditions experienced in some parts of the state this year may have lulled some of us into thinking that we might be spared from some of our typical soybean diseases.  And, it’s true that foliar diseases have been nearly non-existent this season.  But, some of our important soilborne diseases are now rearing their ugly heads, and some of us are scratching our heads to figure out which is which.  Since many of these diseases tend to have similar general symptoms, especially early on, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis to make any management decisions for both this season and future variety selections.  Thus far, I have confirmed Phytophthora root and stem rot, northern stem canker and Fusarium wilt in a handful of fields, but these problems are likely more widespread and we’ll probably continue to see more samples.

Managing these soilborne diseases can be challenging, and requires an integrated approach.  When a soilborne disease is identified in a field, you may need to implement multiple tactics, including resistant varieties, crop rotations, residue management, field drainage improvement, alternate weed host management, seed treatments and foliar fungicides where applicable.  Below is more information on some of the diseases of concern identified, thus far, this season.

Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot

Phytophtora root and stem rot stem lesion extending up from the soil line (photo by Mike Hunter)

Phytophthora root and stem rot, caused by Phytophthora sojae is a complicated soilborne disease of economic concern in soybean production areas of NY.  It has been confirmed in at least nine counties in NY, and it is likely more widespread throughout the state.  As with most of the soilborne diseases, occurrence depends on favorable conditions, including cool and wet conditions and compacted soils at planting time.  The disease is exacerbated by flooding of fields after seeding has occurred.  The 2018 growing season has been ideal for this disease in some parts of the state, given our prolonged wet spring and recent heavy rain events causing saturation in some fields.  The pathogen survives long-term in the soil as hardy oospores.  These oospores germinate to produce sporangia that release the swimming zoospores which infect the soybean roots or are splashed up into the canopy.  Infection of seedlings often results in damping off.  Symptoms of infection of older plants include lesions beginning at the soil line and extending up the stem, yellow/chlorotic leaves, wilting, reduced vigor, reduction in root mass and death.   We are currently seeing these symptoms in plants in various reproductive stages.  Over 70 races of this pathogen exist, making management with resistant varieties challenging without knowing which races occur in a particular field.  However, varieties with partial resistance (also called field tolerance), which adds some level of protection against all races, are available and highly recommended.  Improving soil drainage, reducing compaction, utilizing seed treatments, genetic resistance, and crop rotation are good tools for managing Phytophthora root and stem rot.

Phytophthora stem rot internal symptoms (photo by Jeff Miller)
Phytophtora root and stem rot in a section of a field in Oneida County early August, 2018 (photo by Jeff Miller)

Northern Stem Canker

Northern stem canker inside stem (photo by Jaime Cummings)

Northern stem canker, caused by the fungus Diaporthe caulivora, is a disease of economic concern that was first identified and confirmed in NY in 2014.  Since the initial confirmation, it has been discovered to be fairly widespread throughout many soybean production areas in NY, though usually only at moderately low incidences.  We are starting to see it in western NY this year, and expect to find it more widespread as favorable weather conditions continue.  The pathogen survives on infected soy residue, and infection often occurs during vegetative growth stages, but symptoms don’t appear until reproductive stages.  Foliar symptoms include interveinal chlorosis, followed by necrosis, and is indistinguishable from the foliar symptoms of other soilborne diseases including sudden death syndrome and brown stem rot.  Initially, small reddish-brown lesions appear, often near nodes on the lower stems, which expand into distinctive ‘cankers’ with slightly sunken, grayish-brown centers and reddish margins.  Large cankers may girdle stems completely.  Splitting stems longitudinally may reveal a browning discoloration of the vascular tissue and pith, often more pronounced near the nodes on the lower stems, similar to what is observed with brown stem rot.  In severe cases with large cankers, the entire pith may be brownish-red.  The disease reduces the number and size of seeds produced, and could result in yield losses of up to 50% in a severe epidemic.  It is important to note that there are two forms of stem canker; 1) northern stem canker, and 2) southern stem canker. Southern stem canker has not been identified in NY.  Each disease is caused by a different pathogen, and controlled by separate resistance genes.  Because northern stem canker was dismissed as a disease of minor importance in the 1950s, most seed companies do not provide disease ratings specific for northern stem canker in their catalogs.  Most ‘stem canker’ ratings in commercial seed catalogs are for southern stem canker (unless noted otherwise), which is a disease of great importance to many soybean production areas of the U.S., but have no relevance to northern stem canker resistance.  Foliar fungicide applications for management have shown inconsistent results, and may not be cost effective.  Tillage practices to bury infected residues and rotation with non-host crops, including small grains or corn, are recommended for highly infested fields if varieties with resistance specific to northern stem canker are not available.

Northern stem canker foliar symptoms of interveinal chlorosis and necrosis (photo by Jaime Cummings)
Northern stem canker lesions on stem (photo by Jaime Cummings)

Fusarium Wilt

Internal discoloration of vascular tissue of lower stems caused by Fusarium wilt (photo by Jaime Cummings)

Fusarium wilt, caused by a number of Fusarium species, is a fungal soilborne disease of concern in soybean production areas of NY, particularly in years with drought, like we are experiencing in 2018.  Though it has only been confirmed in a few counties, it is likely much more widespread, but is difficult to diagnose or differentiate from other diseases or stresses.  It’s easiest to rule out other diseases, like Phytophthora root and stem rot, northern stem canker, charcoal rot and brown stem rot to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.  Infection is favored by cool temperatures and wet soils during early vegetative growth stages.  Plants are infected during early vegetative stages, but symptoms appear later in the season during reproductive stages, and are exacerbated by hot, dry weather, when infected plants begin to wilt.  In addition to wilting, symptoms include brown discoloration of the vascular system in the roots, crowns and stems, and foliage may become generally chlorotic and defoliation may occur.  Sometimes, the general wilting and chlorosis are overlooked as heat stress, and the full extent of the disease in a field doesn’t become evident until many plants in a field die.  Reducing soil compaction, delaying planting until soil temperatures are favorable for seed germination, crop rotation and seed treatments applied to high quality seed are good management practices for minimizing losses to Fusarium wilt.

Fusarium wilt in a field in Livingston County in early August 2018 (photo by Mike Stanyard)
Fusarium wilt in a field in Livingston County in 2018 (photo by Mike Stanyard)

There can be a lot of overlap in symptoms among many soilborne diseases of soybeans.  Be sure to arrive at an accurate diagnosis before making any decisions.  And, remember, when scouting and collecting samples for submission for diagnosis, the diagnosis you receive is only as good as the sample you submit.  Be sure to collect whole plants, with roots, and ship them overnight to ensure they arrive in good condition.   Information on how to submit specimens for diagnosis is available on the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic website http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/pddcforms/submissionform.pdf, and a submission form is available at http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/pddcforms/submissionform.pdf.  And, for more information on soybean diseases in NY, please visit the soybean disease survey portion of fieldcrops.org (https://fieldcrops.cals.cornell.edu/soybeans/diseases-soybeans/soybean-disease-survey/).

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What’s Cropping Up? Volume 27 No. 3 – May/June 2017

Stripe rust: A new challenge to wheat yield in New York

Gary C. Bergstrom and Michael R. Fulcher
School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University

Stripe rust, known in many parts of the world as ‘yellow rust’ for its yellow-orange urediniospores, is a relatively new problem for wheat production in the eastern U.S.  However, the disease has been steadily increasing in severity and geographic range in the central and eastern U.S. over the past decade.  It has been observed sporadically in New York State for several years, but occurred at epidemic levels associated with potential yield losses for the first time in New York in 2016.  As of early June 2017, it has already been found in 24 states and three Canadian provinces.  It has been observed in several wheat fields in the Finger Lakes and western New York and may become widespread in New York before the crop matures.

Figure 1. Characteristic yellow-orange pustules of stripe rust urediniospores running in stripes or lines along veins on the wheat leaf surface. Smaller, circular, cinnamon-brown pustules of leaf (brown) rust of wheat may be seen on the same leaf. Photo by Gary Bergstrom. Inset photo (by Kent Loeffler) shows close-up of stripe rust pustules.

Stripe rust of wheat is caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Stripe rust is identified by its telltale, yellow-orange spore pustules arranged in stripes along the leaves in contrast to the smaller, cinnamon brown pustules of leaf (brown) rust (Figure 1). Stripe rust isolates currently found in the Eastern U.S. do not attack barley.  Like other cereal rusts, the stripe rust fungus only survives between growing seasons on living wheat plants.  Therefore, stripe rust survives the winter primarily on winter wheat in frost-free areas of the southern U.S. Spores become airborne, move long distances in the atmosphere, and are deposited on green wheat plants in northern states each spring/summer.  Occasionally stripe rust may overwinter on wheat plants in New York during mild winters or under snow cover, resulting in an earlier spring epidemic. Once infection begins in a field, new generations of rust spores can be spawned as quickly as every 10 days under mild temperatures and moist conditions, thus magnifying disease in individual fields and providing new spores to be blown to both nearby and distant fields.  Significant yield losses can result when rust attacks the upper leaves of wheat during the critical first weeks of grain filling.

The best way to manage rust diseases is to plant resistant varieties.  However, rust pathogens are tricky, and fungal populations can evolve new races that attack once-resistant wheat varieties.  We are just beginning to understand the susceptibility of regional wheat varieties to stripe rust.  We learned in 2016 that certain widely grown soft red and white winter wheat varieties were particularly susceptible to stripe rust (Figure 2).  There are several foliar fungicides labeled for stripe rust control in New York and these will be very useful to utilize on susceptible varieties in years when there is a significant risk of stripe rust infection.  Rust epidemics observed in 2016 developed primarily following head emergence of wheat.  We found that a flowering time (Feekes stage 10.51) application of either Caramba or Prosaro fungicides for Fusarium head blight suppression provided complete protection of flag leaves against late-developing stripe rust. However, in future years when epidemics are initiated at earlier growth stages, it is likely that we will need to apply protectant fungicides at jointing to flag leaf emergence stages if scouting reveals the early presence of rust.

Figure 2. Relative severity of stripe rust observed on soft red and soft white winter wheat varieties compared over four New York nursery locations in June 2016. The boxplot midlines are median values, and the diamonds mark the average severity.

Since stripe rust is still fairly new to New York, we are tracking its progress and making collections of the fungus to determine races and genetic variation.  Please contact your Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crop Educator or the Cornell Field Crops Pathology Program if you find stripe rust in your wheat over the next few weeks. You can help us learn more about this new yield robber and how we can minimize the risk.

Acknowledgements:
This work is supported in part by funding from USDA-NIFA Hatch grant NYC153436 and USDA-NIFA Smith-Lever grant NYC153652.

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Alternaria leaf spot of wheat in New York

Michael R. Fulcher, Jaime A. Cummings, and Gary C. Bergstrom
School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University

Fig 1. Foliar lesions photographed during grain filling. The bleached white centers and dark irregular margins are unique to this wheat pathogen. Photo by Gary Bergstrom.

A new foliar disease of wheat was found in New York in summer 2015. The disease was spotted in Monroe County at a regional wheat variety trial conducted as part of the Cornell Small Grains Project under the direction of Mark Sorrells. The Cornell Field Crops Pathology Program lead by Gary Bergstrom first identified the pathogen and has continued to study this disease. Symptoms are distinct from other foliar diseases of wheat, and lesions resemble those of scald on barley, i.e., with bleached white centers and dark borders. Damage occurs primarily on leaves but can also be seen on spikes and occasionally stems (Figures 1-3). We are calling this new disease ‘Alternaria leaf spot’ as it is caused by fungal isolates shown by matching DNA sequences to belong within the diverse Alternaria infectoria species group. This group includes fungi with no demonstrated pathogenic ability as well some wheat pathogens known to cause disease outbreaks that range from minor to severe in other countries. Yet no previous report of fungi in this species group has been associated with the very distinctive foliar lesions we have observed in New York.

Fig 2. Bleached glumes with the characteristic dark margins on a wheat spike. Photo by Jaime Cummings.

Alternaria leaf spot was confirmed in Monroe County, at two separated sites near Lake Ontario, during the past two growing seasons. We are now confirming a likely reoccurrence in Monroe Co. in 2017. We are also using comparative DNA sequencing to determine if the same pathogen was the cause of unusual glume symptoms observed on winter wheat in Jefferson County, also near Lake Ontario, in 2015. Though not confirmed outside of a small geographic area, the disease has occurred in both variety trial plots and commercial fields. All the varieties observed at these locations, over 60 soft white and red winter wheats, have been susceptible to the pathogen. Damage to the flag leaf in severely impacted fields may be significant enough to cause a reduction in yield. However, the disease seems to require an unusually long period of leaf wetness to develop, which may explain why we are finding the disease in maritime environments with persistent fog and dew. No information exists at this time about the efficacy of foliar fungicides against this pathogen and no fungicides are registered for this use. Further research into the pathogen’s complete distribution, inoculum sources, and appropriate management strategies is ongoing. For now, we recommend continuing to scout fields and managing more common pathogens as necessary.

Fig 3. Three leaves with different levels of disease severity. Photo by Michael Fulcher.

The recent discovery of Alternaria leaf spot in New York is the first recorded incidence of the disease in the United States. We suspect that this disease is more widespread than we currently know. We are cooperating with wheat pathologists in other states to diagnose symptoms they have observed that are similar to those that we have attributed to Alternaria leaf spot in New York. If you encounter symptoms of Alternaria leaf spot, please contact your local field crops extension educator or the Cornell Field Crops Pathology Program.

Acknowledgements:
Funding for this work is provided by USDA-NIFA Hatch grant NYC153436, and the Mycological Society of America through the Emory Simmons Research Award.

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