South Dakota State University

college of agriculture & biological sciences

Applied Plant Disease Mangement & Research

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The SDSU Plant Science Department website is maintained by Julia Fausti in accordance with SDSU guidelines.

Last updated 3 November 2009

Research Projects & Reports

SDSU University Research

The relatively limited crop diversity, and hence rotational choices, in the state results in a situation where plant diseases are major limiting factors to productivity. Over the past 30+ years, two primary changes in production practices have exacerbated these losses further. The first was the widespread adoption of reduced-tillage agriculture. This has resulted in a marked increase in the frequency and severity of residue-borne diseases such as Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat and barley. The second factor is the steady increase in the acreage of soybeans and corn. Of particular note is the impact that the cultivation of corn under reduced-tillage has had on the frequency and severity of FHB. 

 

Significant discoveries/findings/impact 2000-2007 include:

· The spread of Soybean Cyst Nematode has been monitored and this organism is now documented to be present in many counties.

· A web-based Fusarium head blight risk advisory system was developed that covers South Dakota.  This was a multi-state research project that is funded by the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Growers utilize this advisory to make fungicide application decisions.

· Disease surveys and crop loss assessments:

                 ◊  Soybeans: Bean Pod Mottle and Soybean Mosaic Virus were both found in commercial soybean fields.

                 ◊  Small grains: rusts (wheat leaf, wheat stripe, oat crown, and oat stem), leaf blights (e.g. tan spot), wheat streak mosaic and barley yellow dwarf viruses (wheat and oats), Fusarium head blight (wheat), and common root rot (wheat)

 

Germplasm evaluations – determination of resistance/tolerance:

                 ◊  Fusarium head blight –winter and spring wheat germplasm (1,000’s of lines)

                 ◊  Stem rust – winter and spring wheat germplasm (several 1,000 lines)

                 ◊  Common root rot – winter and spring wheat germplasm (~70 lines)

                 ◊  Stem and crown rust –oat germplasm (1,000’s of lines)

                 ◊  Wheat streak mosaic –winter and spring wheat germplasm (~750 lines)

                 ◊  Bean pod mottle – soybeans (~50 lines)

                 ◊  Northern stem canker – soybeans

 

Disease management studies:

                 ◊  Investigated combinations of nozzle configuration and application pressure for optimal head coverage by fungicides. This is useful in the management of Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley.

                 ◊  Identified the most efficacious seed treatment fungicides for common root rot of wheat and Phytophthora root rot of soybeans.

                 ◊  Evaluated various products for activity against white mold of sunflower.