Alemu Mengistu

Seed composition is influenced by irrigation regimes and cultivar differences in soybean

In the midsouth USA, soybean is produced either under irrigated or non-irrigated conditions. The objective of this experiment was to show the utility of supplemental irrigation as an alternative to full-season and non-irrigation to achieve high yield and high seed composition. The effects of irrigation and cultivar differences on soybean yield and seed composition were conducted. Two cultivars (Dwight and Freedom) and three irrigation regimes (full-season irrigation, FS; reproductive stage/supplemental irrigation, RI; and non-irrigation, NI) were used. Protein percentage was higher in Dwight under FS and RI than NI. In Freedom, protein percentage was higher under NI than under FS and RI. Under NI, Freedom had higher protein percentage than Dwight, especially in 2004, but lower oil in 2003 and 2004. Cultivars showed significant differences in fatty acids. Yield in Freedom under FS and RI was not significantly different. Nitrogen fixation was substantially higher under NI conditions. The results indicate that irrigation management and cultivar selection significantly affect seed composition and yield. Protein increase in Freedom under non-irrigated conditions may benefit producers for high protein seed under dry-land conditions. Supplemental irrigation at the reproductive stage may be a possible alternative for full season irrigation for the cultivar Freedom.

Seasonal Progress of Charcoal Rot and Its Impact on Soybean Productivity

The seasonal progress of charcoal rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina) was measured over two growing seasons in four separate experiments: irrigated infested, irrigated non-infested, non-irrigated infested, and non-irrigated noninfested. Disease was assessed at V5, R1, R3, R5, R6, and R7 growth stages based on colony forming units (CFU) of M. phaseolina recovered from the lower stem and root tissues and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The population density of M. phaseolina increased slowly from the V5 to R6 growth stages and then rapidly from the R6 to R7 growth stages for all genotypes in all four experiments. Yield loss due to charcoal rot ranged from 6 to 33% in irrigated environments. The extent of yield loss was affected by severity of charcoal rot, which in turn was affected by year. Yield loss due to charcoal rot was consistently measured in all paired comparisons in irrigated environments, suggesting that charcoal rot can be an important disease in irrigated environments. Disease severity based on CFU accounted for more yield loss variation (42%) than did the AUDPC (36%) when used to assess disease. Growth stage R7 was found to be the optimum stage for assessing disease using CFU. In addition, screening soybean genotypes under irrigation environment may have utility in breeding programs where there is a need for evaluating soybean genotypes for both disease resistance and yield.

Agricultural practices altered soybean seed protein, oil, fatty acids, sugars, and minerals in the Midsouth USA

Information on the effects of management practices on soybean seed composition is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effects of planting date (PD) and seeding rate (SR) on seed composition (protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars) and seed minerals (B, P, and Fe) in soybean grown in two row-types (RTs) on the Mississippi Delta region of the Midsouth USA. Two field experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 on Sharkey clay and Beulah fine sandy loam soil at Stoneville, MS, USA, under irrigated conditions. Soybean were grown in 102 cm single-rows and 25 cm twin-rows in 102 cm centers at SRs of 20, 30, 40, and 50 seeds m-2. The results showed that in May and June planting, protein, glucose, P, and B concentrations increased with increased SR, but at the highest SRs (40 and 50 seeds m-2), the concentrations remained constant or declined. Palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acid concentrations were the least responsive to SR increases. Early planting resulted in higher oil, oleic acid, sucrose, B, and P on both single and twin-rows. Late planting resulted in higher protein and linolenic acid, but lower oleic acid and oil concentrations. The changes in seed constituents could be due to changes in environmental factors (drought and temperature), and nutrient accumulation in seeds and leaves. The increase of stachyose sugar in 2010 may be due to a drier year and high temperature in 2010 compared to 2009; suggesting the possible role of stachyose as an environmental stress compound. Our research demonstrated that PD, SR, and RT altered some seed constituents, but the level of alteration in each year dependent on environmental factors such as drought and temperature. This information benefits growers and breeders for considering agronomic practices to select for soybean seed nutritional qualities under drought and high heat conditions.

Seasonal Progress of Phomopsis longicolla Infection on Soybean Plant Parts and Its Relationship to Seed Quality

Phomopsis longicolla is a major seed pathogen of soybean (Glycine max) in hot, humid environments. The objective of this study was to monitor the infection and development of P. longicolla on vegetative and reproductive tissues of six cultivars and to determine the relationship between this infection and subsequent seed infection and seed germination. Cultivars were grown for 3 years (2002 to 2004) without irrigation or with irrigation applied at pre- plus postflowering or at postflowering growth stages. P. longicolla was isolated most frequently from leaf, stem, pod, root, and seed. Diaporthe phaseolorum and three unidentified Phomopsis sp. were also isolated. Diaporthe aspalathi, which previously has not been reported on soybean, was also recovered from leaf samples. These isolates, however, were recovered very infrequently. Recovery of P. longicolla from roots was much lower than from leaves, stems, and pods in all years and irrigation environments. The recovery of P. longicolla from seed was affected by irrigation environments. Seed from irrigated plots had more P. longicolla than that from nonirrigated plots. Isolation of P. longicolla from seed was negatively correlated with percentage of seed germination in irrigated environments but not in the nonirrigated environment. Pod infection was correlated with seed infection in all three irrigation environments. Even though infection of leaves and stems increased with increasing moisture availability, such infection did not consistently correlate with seed infection. Seed germination and seed infection were negatively correlated with percent hard seed. This study provided the first demonstration of the seasonal progression of P. longicolla on soybean cultivars grown under three irrigation environments.

Effects of foliar boron application on seed composition, cell wall boron, and seed δ15N and δ13C isotopes in water-stressed soybean plants

Limited information is available on the effects of foliar boron (B) application on soybean seed composition. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of foliar B on seed composition (protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars). Our hypothesis was that since B is involved in nitrogen and carbon metabolism, it may impact seed composition. A repeated greenhouse experiment was conducted where half of the soybean plants was exposed to water stress (WS) and the other half was well-watered. Foliar boron (FB) in the form of boric acid was applied twice at a rate of 1.1 kg ha−1. The first application was during flowering stage, and the second application was during seed-fill stage. Treatments were water stressed plants with no FB (WS–B); water stressed plants with FB (WS+B); watered plants without FB (W–B), and watered plants with FB (W+B). The treatment W–B was used as a control. Comparing with WS–B plants, B concentration was the highest in leaves and seed of W+B plants (84% increase in leaves and 73% in seed). Seeds of W+B plants had higher protein (11% increase), oleic acid (27% increase), sucrose (up to 40% increase), glucose, and fructose comparing with W–B. However, seed stachyose concentrations increased by 43% in WS–B plants seed compared with W–B plants. Cell wall (structural) B concentration in leaves was higher in all plants under water stress, especially in WS–B plants where the percentage of cell wall B reached up to 90%. Water stress changed seed δ15N and δ13C values in both B applied and non-B applied plants, indicating possible effects on nitrogen and carbon metabolism. This research demonstrated that FB increased B accumulation in leaves and seed, and altered seed composition of well-watered and water stressed plants, indicating a possible involvement of B in seed protein, and oleic and linolenic fatty acids. Further research is needed to explain mechanisms of B involvement in seed protein and fatty acids.

Soybean seed composition in cultivars differing in resistance to charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)

Seed composition in soybean [ Glycine max (L) Merr.] has not been well investigated under charcoal rot infestation under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The objective of the present experiment was to assess seed composition and nitrogen fixation under these conditions. No significant differences in protein levels in the moderately resistant germplasm line DT97-4290 were observed under these conditions. Under irrigation, protein concentration was significantly ( P ⩽0·05) higher for the susceptible cultivars Egyptian and Pharaoh under non-infested than infested conditions. The opposite response for protein was observed under non-irrigated conditions for Pharaoh. Oleic acid concentration was significantly ( P ⩽0·001) higher in susceptible cultivars under infested conditions. The concentration of linolenic acid in susceptible cultivars was significantly lower under infested conditions. The enrichment of Delta 15 N in susceptible cultivars under infested conditions indicated that nitrogen fixation was substantially inhibited, but soil nitrogen was used for compensating for atmospheric nitrogen inhibition. These results indicate that charcoal rot infection may alter seed composition and nitrogen fixation in soybean. The alteration in seed composition depended on cultivar susceptibility to charcoal rot and irrigation management.

Isolates of Diaporthe-Phomopsis from weeds and their effect on soybean

Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the identity and pathogenicity of Diaporthe-Phomopsis species complex recovered from eight weed species. The identifications of the eight isolates representing four taxa, including two apparently undescribed species of Phomopsis, were based on colony features in pure culture, morphology of alpha or beta-conidia, and internal transcribed spacer sequences. Of the eight isolates, Phomopsis sp. A. from Eclipta prostrata (eclipta), Phomopsis longicolla isolates from both Ipomoea lacunosa (pitted morning-glory) and Chamaesyce nutans (nodding spurge), and Diaporthe phaseolorum from Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundle-flower) caused significant levels of infection on soybean hypocotyls, pods, and seeds. These four isolates from weed species also caused systemic infection of seed similar to the soybean isolate of P. longicolla. Diaporthe phaseolorum isolated from Caperonia palustris (Texasweed) and Aster exilis (slender aster), Phomopsis sp. B. from Sida spinosa (prickly sida), and Phomopsis sp. A from Polygonum aviculare (prostrate knotweed) were not pathogenic to soybean. This is the first demonstration that Phomopsis sp. A, P. longicolla, and D. phaseolorum isolated from eclipta, pitted morning-glory, nodding spurge, and Illinois bundle-flower cause seed infection of soybean.

Resistance to toxin-mediated fungal infection: role of lignins, isoflavones, other seed phenolics, sugars, and boron in the mechanism of resistance to charcoal rot disease in soybean

Charcoal rot disease in soybean is caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, which is believed to infect plants from soil through the roots by a toxin-mediated mechanism. Soybean genotypes exist which are susceptible (S) or moderately resistant (MR) to charcoal rot, but the mechanism of resistance is not known. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher levels of phenolics, seed coat lignin, isoflavones, sugars, and total boron were observed in MR genotype than in S genotype seeds under irrigated and nonirrigated and under experimental M. phaseolina infested and noninfested conditions, indicating a possible association of these substances with resistance to toxin-mediated infection.

Soybean Seed Composition Constituents as Affected by Drought and Phomopsis in Phomopsis Susceptible and Resistant Genotypes

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of drought and Phomopsis on seed composition constituents in Phomopsis susceptible (S), moderately resistant (MR), and resistant (R) soybean genotypes grown under irrigated and non-irrigated environments. Genotypes of maturity group (MG) III and V were grown under field conditions in 2003 and 2005. Seed protein, oil, fatty acids, sugars, and minerals were evaluated in seeds harvested at harvest maturity (R8) and 15 days after harvest maturity (delayed harvesting). The results showed that seed protein and oleic acid were higher in S than in MR or R genotypes at 15 days after harvest maturity in MG III in non-irrigated soybean. For MG V genotypes, seed protein, oil, and oleic acid were higher and linoleic and linolenic acids were lower in MR and R than in S in irrigated and non-irrigated soybean at harvest maturity and 15 days after harvest maturity. In MG III genotypes, seed sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose were higher in MR and R than in S genotypes in irrigated soybean at maturity only. In irrigated or non-irrigated soybean, seed sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose were higher in R than in MR or in S in MG V in 2003 and 2005 at harvest maturity or 15 days after harvest maturity. Seed minerals were also altered in MG III and V. This research demonstrated that seed composition components were altered by drought and Phomopsis and the degree of alteration depended on the level of resistance of the genotype and MG.

First Report of Frogeye Leaf Spot (Cercospora sojina) in Wisconsin

Frogeye leaf spot, caused by Cercospora sojina, is an economically important foliar disease of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in areas where growing conditions are warm and humid. During a survey conducted in 2000 and 2001 in soybean fields in Wisconsin, reddish brown, circular to angular spots varying in diameter from 1 to 5 mm were observed on soybean leaves in four fields in Dane and Iowa counties, and in five and six fields in Lafayette and Green counties, respectively. Soybean plants were in growth stages between R3 and R5 during sampling. Disease incidence ranged from 30 to 100% with 5 to 10% of leaf area covered with leaf spot in 2000. In 2001, trace levels of the disease were detected in Dane County, but no symptomatic plants were present in the other counties. Symptomatic leaves were collected from all locations in 2000 and Dane county in 2001. Ten leaves were randomly picked from all samples for each year, placed in a 100 × 15 mm petri dish dampened with Whatman No.1 filter paper, and incubated overnight at 24°C. Fungal sporulation developed after 24 h. Fifteen spores were removed from the 10 leaves, placed on acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA), and incubated in the dark at 24°C. Cultures with dark pigmentation and associated conidia and conidiophores were observed after 3 weeks. The conidiophore, spore type, and leaf symptoms correspond to the description of C. sojina (1). Conidiophores were light-to-dark brown, one to four septate, and fasciculate. The conidiophores were also geniculate and measured 52 to 120 x 4 to 6 μm. Conidia were 0 to 10 septate, hyaline, elongate to fusiform, and measured 40 to 60 x 6 to 8 μm. Cultures were maintained on APDA, and spores for inoculations were produced on this medium. Spores from the 2000 cultures were harvested, bulked together, and used for pathogenicity tests. Pathogenicity tests were conducted in a growth chamber using a known susceptible soybean cultivar, Blackhawk. Ten-cm-diameter pots each containing 4 plants was used. Twenty plants were inoculated and 20 served as noninoculated controls. Ten-day-old plants were inoculated with a spore suspension of 3 × 105 spores/ml by spraying inoculum over the entire leaf surfaces with a spray atomizer. Control plants were sprayed similarly with sterile distilled water. Plants were incubated in an enclosed, transparent fiberglass box with a humidifier that provided 95 to 100% humidity. Lighting in the growth chamber was adjusted to 18-h light and 6-h dark during the inoculation period. Plants were removed from the box after 48 h and placed in a growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod. The light output in the growth chamber was 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 and the temperature was maintained at 24 ± 3°C. The experiment was repeated once. Typical field symptoms appeared on each of the inoculated plant 8 days after inoculation, while the controls expressed no leaf symptoms. C. sojina was reisolated from all symptomatic plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. sojina from soybean in Wisconsin. Reference: (1) D. V. Phillips. Frogeye leaf spot. Page 20 in: Compendium of Soybean Diseases. 4th ed. G. L. Hartman, J. B. Sinclair, and J. C. Rupe, eds. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1999.