Research

Title: Rice Breeding and Pathology Tech Support

Objectives:

1. Develop rice disease resistant/tolerant varieties and germplasm Collaborative partnership between plant breeders and plant pathologists, overseeing the screening and selection of novel varieties within the rice breeding program.
2. Supports the Extension Plant Pathology Program:
   Engaging in screening, laboratory tasks, monitoring, and data collection related to diseases in the state of Arkansas.

Title: Updating Rice Blast Race Identification in Arkansas: Survey of Leaf and Neck Blast

Stated goal: The ultimate goal is to develop a robust understanding of the prevalence, distribution, and diversity of Rice Leaf and Neck Blast pathogen races in Arkansas. By identifying specific Blast races and assessing the susceptibility or resistance of rice varieties, this initiative aims to inform targeted strategies for disease management and contribute to the sustainable cultivation of rice in the state.

Specific Objectives:

1. Survey Rice Leaf and Neck Blast pathogen in the state: Conduct a comprehensive survey to assess the currently prevalence and distribution of Blast races pathogen in various regions of Arkansas. Identify affected rice crops and document the severity of the blast infection.
2. Identify the isolates of Blast races present in Arkansas State: Characterize and classify the different races of the Blast pathogen present in rice fields across Arkansas. Utilize molecular and genetic techniques to distinguish and catalog the specific Blast races found in the state.
3. Determine the susceptibility or resistant to the potential new Blast races: Evaluate a diverse set of rice varieties and breeding lines to assess their susceptibility or resistance to the identified Blast races. Implement controlled experiments and field trials to quantify the level of resistance in each variety or breeding line.

Title: Integrating Host Resistance and Fungicides to Control Cercospora in Rice

Stated goal: Historically, Narrow Brown Leaf Spot (NBLS), induced by the fungus Cercospora janseana, exhibited symptoms primarily on rice leaves, with effective control achieved through foliar fungicide applications. However, there is currently an emergence of Cercospora symptoms on the sheath, panicle, and grains. Consequently, the objective of this proposal is to formulate and execute an integrated approach, combining host resistance with strategic fungicide applications, to proficiently manage and control Cercospora across leaves, sheaths, panicles, and grains. Through thorough research and practical implementation, our aim is to fortify rice plants against Cercospora, optimizing the timing and efficacy of fungicide applications for sustainable disease management and improved crop yield.

Specific Objectives:

1. Identify and Characterize Cercospora-Resistant Rice Varieties: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing rice varieties to identify cultivars exhibiting resistance to Cercospora.
2. Optimize Fungicide Application Timing for Cercospora Control: Determine the most effective timing and frequency of fungicide applications to manage Cercospora in rice crops. Evaluate the impact of different application schedules on disease suppression, crop health, and overall yield under varying environmental conditions.
3. Quantify the impact of Cercospora on crop yield: Implement on-farm trials to validate the synergistic effects of combining host-resistant rice varieties with strategic fungicide applications. Evaluate the practicality and efficacy of the integrated approach in real-world agricultural settings, considering factors such as disease severity, crop productivity, and economic viability.

Title: Monitoring and management of fungicide resistance of Sheath Blight in Arkansas

Stated goal: Monitor areas with fungicides resistance of rice sheath blight to maximize the efficacy of management decisions and consequently reduce yield losses

Specific Objectives:

1. Mapping resistance of sheath blight isolates for most used fungicides in rice fields with an emphasis on azoxystrobin.
2. Refined the rice sheath blight management recommendations based on demonstration plot trials evaluating efficacy of fungicide.
3. Improved rice sheath blight management techniques through an interdisciplinary approach.
4. Enhance communication and end-user education/outreach for farms, agricultural advisors, research community, and grain processors thought resources and recommendations related to the integrated management of rice sheath blight on the Arkansas Row Crops Blog, Rice Advisor, and Extension Plant Pathologist website and field days.

Title: Establishing the Infrastructure to Develop Prediction Tools for Diseases and Mycotoxins Affecting Corn to Better Inform Management Decisions (Arkansas)

We hypothesize that disease and mycotoxin risk can be predicted by quantifying spore densities within a field, taking into account hybrid genetics, and integrating weather-based prediction models across the corn production belt. Consequently, we propose to:

Specific Objectives:

1. Develop disease prediction models for corn diseases based on presence of initial inoculum, aerial spore density, and production and environmental factors.
2. Validate the accuracy of disease prediction of each model.

This will be accomplished through the following objectives:

Objective 1: Establish the association between inoculum intensity, production factors, disease development and weather in experimental plot trials.

Objective 2: Disseminate corn disease information and management techniques through various outputs.