Evaluation of Endophytic Bacteria in Suppression of Charcoal Rot Disease of Soybean
Investigators
Objectives
The long-range goal of the research program is to develop biologically based approaches to plant disease management. Both strains MS455 and MS389 showed great potential as biocontrol agents. The specific objectives for this project are the following:
- To investigate the effects of inoculation methods of the representative bacteria on disease development and soybean growth
- To characterize the genes associated with anti-fungal activity of MS389 using CRISPR/Cas9
- To elucidate chemical structures of MS455 and MS389.
Expected End Results
Expected results of the project include characterization of bacterial species that support normal soybean growth, enhance disease resistance, and significantly increase yields. With the newly developed microbial charcoal rot control package, farmer field strategies could allow soybean farmers for more flexible crop rotations and protect soybeans with endophytic bacteria, resulting in increased grower income. In addition, the development of the biologically based approach is well aligned with the USDA mission to move the IPM programs to bio-intensive approaches.