Soybean fields with dead patches caused by red crown rot. Soybean fields with dead patches caused by red crown rot.

FFAR’s Rapid Response Grant Addresses Red Crown Rot in Soybeans

East Lansing, MI

  • Production Systems

Red crown rot, a fungal disease, is causing significant yield losses in soybean, harming both profitability and U.S. competitiveness. In response, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and United Soybean Board are awarding Michigan State University (MSU) a $300,000 Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop tools that rapidly detect and effectively manage the disease.

The pathogen that causes red crown rot was first identified on U.S. peanut farms in 1965. By 2018, it was detected on soybean farms in the Midwest. As the pathogen spreads through contaminated soil, it causes severe outbreaks. Infected soybean plants produce 50% fewer pods and seeds than healthy plants, reducing overall yields by an estimated 30%.

Portrait of Angela Records.

Soybeans are a $124 billion industry in the U.S. and a vital component of our food system. Our goal is to help farmers protect this critical crop. Soybean yields are facing several challenges right now, including red crown rot, that are impacting farmer profitability and U.S. competitiveness. This ROAR grant will provide producers with the tools they need to quickly address this pathogen.

 Angela Records, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer

Researchers led by Dr. Martin Chilvers, professor of field crops pathology at MSU, are assessing and developing DNA-based detection tools for diagnostics and disease prediction. The research is also identifying effective chemical controls for the disease and updating publicly available maps on the pathogen’s current and past distribution. The tools and information resulting from this grant will be distributed to farmers through extension networks including the Crop Protection Network.

FFAR’s ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.

Martin Chilvers Headshot

Red crown rot is being found in an increasing number of fields and states, and the yield loss can be dramatic. We’ve assembled an excellent team including Boris Camiletti, Darcy Telenko and Carl Bradley, and we’re thankful for the support from FFAR and USB to tackle this challenge.

 Martin Chilvers, Ph.D.
Professor of Field Crops Pathology, Michigan State University

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR 

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