Help University of Minnesota researchers help you!

UMN professors and checkoff-supported researchers Ashish Ranjan and Megan McCaghey need your assistance.

Phytophthora root and stem rot is causing major yield loss.  Ranjan and McCaghey are interested in developing meaningful projects to understand the distribution of pathogen strains causing Phytophthora root and stem rot in soybean. This disease is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora sojae.

Phytophthora sojae is a host-specific pathogen that can infect soybean plants at any growth stage, leading to death. One of the best control strategies is to use resistant cultivars of soybean. Phytophthora sojae has been known to have variable virulence and adaptation, therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the changes in the adaptability of P. sojae population. The ultimate goal of the research is to provide information that can help growers select varieties with the most important resistance genes for their region. 

Ashish and Megan would like to collect soil from fields with a history of root and stem rot from isolating the Phytophthora sojae. This will help the identify and monitor the pathogen strains in different regions of Minnesota.

If you have a history of root and stem rot and would be willing to show researchers the problem area in your field (for about 15 mins) for sampling this summer or fall, please contact Megan at mmccaghe@umn.edu or 501-352-1220. We value your time and appreciate your collaboration!