First Report of Sudden Death Syndrome (Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines) of Soybean in Minnesota
Authors: Kurle J. E. , Gould S. L. , Lewandowski S. M. , Li S. , Yang X. B. 
Published: May 2007

In August 2002, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants exhibiting foliar and root symptoms typical of sudden death syndrome were observed in Blue Earth and Steele counties in south-central Minnesota. Leaf symptoms ranging from small chlorotic spots to prominent interveinal necrosis were present on soybean plants at the R6 to R7 growth stage. As plants matured, complete defoliation took place with only petioles remaining. Symptomatic plants had necrotic secondary roots, truncated taproots, and discolored cortical tissue at the soil line. Blue sporodochia containing macroconidia were observed on the taproot of affected plants at both locations (3,4). Multiple cultures from both locations were obtained by transferring macroconidia from the sporodochia to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and modified Nash-Snyder Medium (NSM) (3). After 14 days, isolations were made from fungal colonies exhibiting bluish pigmentation and masses of bluish macroconidia (4). The isolates grew slowly, developed a bluish color, and formed sporodochia containing abundant macroconidia on NSM. These isolates were identified as Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. f. sp. glycines based on colony characteristics and morphology of macroconidia (2). Pathogenicity tests were conducted with a single isolate from each location. The isolate from Blue Earth County was inoculated as mycelia in a plug of media onto taproots of plants of susceptible cvs. Williams 82 and Spencer at the V2 growth stage. Chlorotic spots appeared on leaves after 12 days of growth at 22 to 25°C in the greenhouse. Interveinal necrosis appeared after 15 days (4). The isolate from Steele County was used to inoculate the susceptible cv. Great Lakes 3202. Sorghum seed (3 cm3) infested with mycelia of the isolate were placed 2 to 3 cm below soybean seed planted in Cone-Tainers. Noninfested sorghum seed was used as a control. Plants were maintained for 21 days at 22 to 28°C in the greenhouse. Chlorotic spots appeared on leaves of inoculated plants within 21 days after planting followed by the development of interveinal chlorosis and necrosis (1). Molecular analysis further supported the identification of the Steele County isolate as F. solani f. sp. glycines. Polymerase chain reaction with specific primers Fsg1 and Fsg2 of total genomic DNA extracted from the Steele County isolate amplified a 438-bp DNA fragment identical with that extracted from previously identified isolates of F. solani f. sp. glycines (1). In 2002, symptoms of sudden death syndrome were also reported in Olmsted, Freeborn, and Mower counties. Although studies are needed to determine the distribution of sudden death syndrome in the state, the occurrence of the symptoms at multiple locations suggests that F. solani f. sp. glycines is widely distributed in southeast and south-central Minnesota. The counties where sudden death syndrome symptoms were reported are located in the most productive soybean-growing region of Minnesota. Sudden death syndrome could be a serious threat to soybean production in this area since poorly drained, heavy, clay soils are common, and soil temperatures 18°C or less are normal before the end of May.

References: (1) S. Li et al. Phytopathology 90:491, 2000. (2) K. W. Roy. Plant Dis. 81:566, 1997. (3) K. W. Roy et al. Plant Dis. 81:1100, 1997. (4) K. W. Roy. Plant Dis. 81:259, 1997.