38th Annual Student Research Conference
Identification of Pathogenic Fusarium Species in Soybean
Emma C. Baierl*, Cameron J. McKenzie, Sam Padella, Claire Morris, Kiersten Marek, Bryna Norman, and Anna Kirchhoefer
Dr. Hajeewaka Mendis, Faculty Mentor
The Fusarium genus includes several significant plant pathogenic fungi that infect soybean plants, posing a threat to crop yield and quality. This study provides critical insights into the diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium species affecting soybean in Missouri, contributing to disease management strategies and improving crop protection efforts. The objective of this study is to isolate and identify Fusarium species associated with soybean plants in Missouri and assess their pathogenicity to identify novel Fusarium pathogens. We have isolated and identified seven Fusarium species using Fusarium specific selective medium and DNA sequencing. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating soybean seedlings with the isolated Fusarium species. We observed disease symptoms in inoculated soybean plants and reisolated the putative pathogenic Fusarium species. Our results confirmed the presence of three pathogenic Fusarium species, which were successfully reisolated and identified as F. graminearum, F. incarnatum, and F. acuminatum.
Keywords: PCR, plant pathogens, fusarium, fungi, DNA sequencing , soybean, agriculture, pathogenicity testing
Topic(s):Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 400-22
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 7:45