Progress of soybean disease research in a scenario of global changes and future challenges

PLOPER, L.D.,; GIAMMARIA, S.L.; ABNEY, T.S.; HUBER, D.M

Beijing

Conferencia; World Soybean Research Conference VIII; 2009

Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Diseases are among the biotic factors that reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] productivity. They are caused by pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, phytoplasmas, fungi, nematodes, and viruses) that affect different parts of the soybean plant, resulting in reduction of yield and/or quality. Several disease management techniques in addition to the use of resistant cultivars and fungicides are currently being recommended. However, the widespread use of these methods is still incomplete, and soybean production suffers significant losses due to disease. In addition, the occurrence of climatic changes can result in favorable environmental conditions that affect the survival and growth of both plant hosts and their pathogens, and hence the dynamics of disease epidemics. These changes may also influence the outcome of disease control strategies and thus need to be considered when implementing management programs. Sustainable soybean production in the coming decades will require increased research efforts in different disciplines as well as education of soybean producers, crop consultants, commercial agriculture advisors and public policy-makers. In the context of global changes in climate patterns, it will be important to understand ramifications of their effect on ecological and epidemiological processes underlying host-pathogen interactions that impact crop management, productivity, and disease development. It also will be critical to take full advantage of new strategies for disease control, and tools such as information obtained through molecular technologies that will facilitate the development of soybean cultivars with improved multiple disease resistance