Soybean Yield Loss Research Articles

QTL mapping pod dehiscence resistance in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing

Key messageWe constructed a high-density genetic linkage map comprising 4,593 SLAF markers using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing and identified six quantitative trait loci for pod dehiscence resistance in soybean.Pod dehiscence is necessary for propagation in wild soybean (Glycine soja). It is a major component causing yield losses in cultivated soybean, however, and thus, cultivated soybean varieties have been artificially selected for resistance to pod dehiscence. Detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to pod dehiscence is required for molecular marker-assisted selection for breeding new varieties with pod dehiscence resistance. In this study, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map using 260 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cultivars of Heihe 43 (pod-indehiscent) (ZDD24325) and Heihe 18 (pod-dehiscent) (ZDD23620). The map contained 4953 SLAF markers spanning 1478.86 cM on 20 linkage groups with an average distance between adjacent markers of 0.53 cM. In total, six novel QTLs related to pod dehiscence were mapped using inclusive composite interval mapping, explaining 7.22–24.44% of the phenotypic variance across 3 years, including three stable QTLs (qPD01, qPD05-1 and qPD08-1), that had been validated by developing CAPS/dCAPS markers. Based on the SNP/Indel and significant differential expression analyses of two parents, seven genes were selected as candidate genes for future study. The high-density map, three stable QTLs and their molecular markers will be helpful for map-based cloning of pod dehiscence resistance genes and marker-assisted selection of pod dehiscence resistance in soybean breeding.

Effect of irrigation on charcoal rot severity, yield loss and colonization of soybean and sunflower

Charcoal rot incidence in soybean and sunflower in South Africa is increasing. Irrigation as a means to manage charcoal rot is limited as water resources are decreasing and oil seed production is predominantly on dry land. The effect of reduced soil moisture on charcoal rot incidence, severity and colonization of host tissues, as well as subsequent yield loss, was investigated under optimal and sub-optimal conditions for disease development on hosts grown in rotation with Zea mays (maize). Pot experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using a locally planted Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean) and Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) cultivar, which were inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Isolated from sunflower grown in a major oil seed-producing region in South Africa. The disease index, calculated as the product of incidence and severity divided by the total number of observations made per treatment, ((incidence × severity)/(total number of observations made per treatment)), was 20% higher in soybean than in sunflower, even though colonization of sunflower, calculated as the frequency of M. phaseolina isolated from the stem section between the roots and the cotyledon, was 10% more than that of soybean. M. phaseolina was not isolated past the first node of either crop. Yield loss due to charcoal rot amounted to 6.13% in soybean and 12% in sunflower, relative to the uninoculated, reduced soil moisture controls. Microsclerotia were more concentrated in soybean than in sunflower, which indicates that a soybean crop could increase soil inoculum more readily than sunflower. Consideration should therefore be given to the charcoal rot susceptibility of the crop following soybeans. Reduced soil moisture and infection were synergistic to disease incidence and yield loss, but independent of colonization and disease severity. Results showed that an increase in soil moisture cannot prevent initial infection of the host, but can significantly reduce colonization of the stem at maturity.

Genetic Mapping and Molecular Characterization of a Broad-spectrum Phytophthora sojae Resistance Gene in Chinese Soybean.

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) causes serious annual soybean yield losses worldwide. The most effective method to prevent PRR involves growing cultivars that possess genes conferring resistance to Phytophthora sojae (Rps). In this study, QTL-sequencing combined with genetic mapping was used to identify RpsX in soybean cultivar Xiu94-11 resistance to all P. sojae isolates tested, exhibiting broad-spectrum PRR resistance. Subsequent analysis revealed RpsX was located in the 242-kb genomic region spanning the RpsQ locus. However, a phylogenetic investigation indicated Xiu94-11 carrying RpsX is distantly related to the cultivars containing RpsQ, implying RpsX and RpsQ have different origins. An examination of candidate genes revealed RpsX and RpsQ share common nonsynonymous SNP and a 144-bp insertion in the Glyma.03g027200 sequence encoding a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region. Glyma.03g027200 was considered to be the likely candidate gene of RpsQ and RpsX. Sequence analyses confirmed that the 144-bp insertion caused by an unequal exchange resulted in two additional LRR-encoding fragments in the candidate gene. A marker developed based on the 144-bp insertion was used to analyze the genetic population and germplasm, and proved to be useful for identifying the RpsX and RpsQ alleles. This study implies that the number of LRR units in the LRR domain may be important for PRR resistance in soybean.

Soybean response to dicamba in irrigation water under controlled environmental conditions

AbstractWhile much research has focused on crop damage following foliar exposure to auxin herbicides, reports documenting the risk posed by exposure via root uptake of irrigation water are lacking. Herbicide residues circulated in tailwater recovery systems may pose threats of cross-crop impacts to nonresistant cultivars with known sensitivity to auxins. An auxin-susceptible soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] cultivar was grown in a controlled growth chamber environment and exposed to dicamba dissolved in irrigation water applied to the soil surface, simulating furrow irrigation. Five herbicide treatment concentrations, ranging from 0.05 to 5.0 mg L−1and encompassing estimated field doses of 3.1 to 310g ha−1, were applied to the soil of potted soybean plants at V3/V4 or R1 growth stages. Plant injury (0% to 100%), dry mass, height, number of pods, and number of pod-bearing nodes were measured. Kruskal-Wallis and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine treatment differences and examine dose effects. Yield losses were projected using (1) 14 d after treatment plant injury assessments based on injury–yield relationships described for foliar exposures and (2) pod counts. Dicamba concentration was the main significant factor affecting all growth response metrics, and growth stage was a significant explanatory variable only for the height response metric. A nonlinear response to dicamba dose was observed, with the threshold response dose required to affect 50% of plants being three times greater for 40% crop injury compared with 20% injury. Yield projections derived from plant response to root uptake compared with foliar exposure indicate that soybean may express both magnitude of injury and specific symptomology differently when exposure occurs via root uptake. Drift exposure–based models may be incompatible to predict soybean yield loss when injury results from irrigation. Data are needed to develop correlations for predicting yield losses based on field-scale exposure to dicamba in irrigation water, as well as assessment of real-world concentrations of herbicide residues in tailwater recovery systems.

Development of a model to predict soybean yield loss from dicamba exposure

AbstractAlthough dicamba-resistant crops can provide an effective weed management option, risk of dicamba off-site movement to sensitive crops is a concern. Previous research with indeterminate soybean identified 14 injury criteria associated with dicamba applied at V3/V4 or R1/R2 at 0.6 to 280 g ae ha−1. Injury criteria rated on a 0 to 5 scale (none to severe), along with percent visible injury and plant height reduction, and canopy height collected 7 and 15 d after treatment (DAT) were analyzed using multiple regression with a forward-selection procedure to develop yield prediction models. Variables included in the 15 DAT models (in order of selection) for V3/V4 were lower stem base lesions/cracking, plant height reduction, terminal leaf epinasty, leaf petiole droop, leaf petiole base swelling, and stem epinasty, whereas for R1/R2 variables were lower stem base lesions/cracking, terminal leaf chlorosis, leaf petiole base swelling, stem epinasty, terminal leaf necrosis, and terminal leaf cupping. To validate the models, experiments including the same dicamba rates and application timings used in previous research were conducted at two locations. For the variables specific to each model, data collected for the dicamba rates were used to predict yield. For the V3/V4 15 DAT model, predicted yield reduction (compared with the nontreated control for dicamba at 0.6 to 4.4 g ha−1) underestimated or overestimated observed yield reduction by an average of 1 and 3 percentage points. For 8.8 g ha−1, predicted yield reduction overestimated observed yield reduction by 8 points and for 17.5 g ha−1 by 20 points. For the R1/R2 15 DAT model, predicted yield reduction for 0.6 to 4.4 g ha−1 overestimated observed yield reduction by an average of 3 to 5 percentage points. For dicamba at 8.8 g ha−1, predicted yield reduction underestimated observed yield reduction by 8 points and for 17.5 g ha−1 overestimated by 6 points.

Quantitative Disease Resistance Loci towards Phytophthora sojae and Three Species of Pythium in Six Soybean Nested Association Mapping Populations

Comparison of quantitative disease resistance loci (QDRL) towards the diverse array of soilborne pathogens that affect soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is key to the incorporation of resistance in breeding programs. The water molds Phytophthora sojae (Kauffman & Gerdmann), Pythium irregulare (Buisman), Pythium ultimum var. ultimum (Trow), and Pythium ultimum var. sporangiiferum (Drechsler) contribute to soybean yield losses annually. Six Soybean Nested Association Mapping (SoyNAM) populations were evaluated for resistance to one or more of these pathogens. Four were screened with a tray test to measure lesion length after inoculation with Ph. sojae; cup assays were used to screen three, three, and two populations for resistance towards Py. irregulare, Py. ultimum var. ultimum, and Py. ultimum var. sporangiiferum, respectively. There were two to eight major or minor QDRL identified within each SoyNAM population towards one or more of these water molds for a total of 33 QDRL. The SoyNAM populations evaluated for resistance to two or more water molds had different QDRL towards each pathogen, indicating that within a source of resistance, mechanisms are potentially specific to the pathogen. Only 3 of the 33 QDRL were associated with resistance to more than one pathogen. There was a major QDRL on chromosome 3 associated with resistance to Py. ultimum var. ultimum and Py. ultimum var. sporangiiferum, and QDRL on chromosomes 13 and 17 shared a flanking marker for both Py. irregulare and Py. ultimum var. ultimum. The SoyNAM population can serve as a diverse resource to map QDRL and compare mechanisms across pathogens and isolates.

Molecular tools for detecting Pdh1 can improve soybean breeding efficiency by reducing yield losses due to pod shatter

Pod shattering is an ancestral trait that promotes seed dispersal; however, shattering can have substantial yield losses in cultivated soybean. During the improvement process, American soybean breeders virtually eliminated the shatter phenotype for released varieties, but in other countries, such as Ghana, shatter persists. The objective of our research was to find a molecular tool to implicate genetic shatter susceptibility, validate its usefulness, and apply this knowledge to identify shattering potential in parental lines. Previous research revealed the gene Pdh1 on chromosome 16 plays a crucial role in determining the shatter phenotype. A perfect molecular marker assay was developed to detect alleles of the Pdh1 gene. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the Pdh1 allele status as a phenotype and identified a highly associated marker in the SoySNP50K array. Soybean accessions from the National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-NPGS) with shatter score and SoySNP50K data were evaluated to determine the impact of the predicted Pdh1 alleles on early and late pod shattering. An online tool was developed to enable researchers to query the GRIN collection for the predicted Pdh1 allele status. Lines from an African soybean germplasm collection were analyzed, and it was determined that 22.5% of lines had the shatter-susceptible alleles of Pdh1; two of seven Ghanaian released soybean varieties had the shatter-susceptible alleles of Pdh1. Soybean breeding programs that access germplasm from the GRIN or the African collection can utilize these resources to eliminate the Pdh1 effects on pod shatter and thus improve yield potential.

Management Considerations for Palmer Amaranth in a Northern Great Plains Soybean Production System

Core Ideas Soybean yield loss in South Dakota was dependent on Palmer amaranth density if it emerged before canopy closure. Soybean yield losses were not Palmer amaranth density dependent when it emerged at the R2 soybean growth stage. The relative growth rate of Palmer amaranth was rapid and suggests a limited period for effective post‐emergence control. The South Dakota biotype was insensitive to several broadleaf herbicides that typically are recommended for Palmer amaranth control. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) was first observed in a South Dakota field in 2015. This study assessed Palmer amaranth growth based on planting date (PD), impact on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield, and response of seedlings of South Dakota biotype seedlings to herbicides with different mechanisms of action (MOA). Soybean yield loss was influenced by Palmer amaranth density in 2016 (p = 0.001), with yield losses of 33% at densities greater than 15 plants m−2 (R2 = 0.65), although yield losses at low densities were greater than predicted by the fitted model. In 2017, yield loss was not correlated to Palmer amaranth density when Palmer amaranth established later in the season. Relative growth rates (RGR) of Palmer amaranth (based on plant volumes) were rapid just after transplanting, irrespective of the initial PD (ranging from mid‐May to mid‐June). Late‐planted cohorts had lower final volumes (0.23 m3) at August harvest compared with early planted cohorts (6.5 m3), but even late‐planted cohorts were two to three times larger than other common South Dakota Amaranth species [A. retroflexus L. and A. tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], which emerged at similar times. In greenhouse studies, labeled rates of atrazine (6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine)), and mesotrione (2‐[4‐(methysulfonyl)‐2‐nitrobenzoyl]‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione) did not control Palmer amaranth plants grown from SD biotype seed, but were controlled with S‐metolachlor (2‐chloro‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐N‐[(1S)‐2‐methoxy‐1‐methyethyl]acetamide), dicamba [3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid], and glufosinate (2‐amino‐4(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid). However, Palmer amaranth biotypes resistant to S‐metolachlor, dicamba, and several other herbicides have been reported, so techniques to limit future herbicide resistance should be followed.

Estimating Yield Losses in Soybean Due to Sourgrass Interference

ABSTRACT: Efficient management of sourgrass is one of the main challenges faced by Brazilian soybean farmers. Biological and ecological characteristics of this weed, as well as wide distribution of glyphosate-resistant biotypes, make it difficult to control this species. The objective of this work was to estimate interference of sourgrass in soybean yield. Seven experiments were conducted during three consecutive years (2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2015/2016 cropping seasons); six of them were on-farm trials where sourgrass infestation was mainly originated from clump regrowth, while infestation originated from seeds in one trial. Data from all sites and experiments were submitted to a combined analysis, according to the study factors and variables, to determine the greatest number of information points for the variable under each circumstance. To each data set, a 1st degree polynomial regression was fit, with a 95% confidence interval. The degree of sourgrass interference varies according to plant origin (seed or clump regrowth) but, in both cases, yield losses are directly correlated with sourgrass densities, aboveground dry mass accumulation and soil coverage. Plants coming from clumps tend to cause higher yield losses than those originated from seeds. These data highlight the importance of performing proper management of sourgrass, especially in its initial stages of development, in view of the high level of losses that perennial plants can cause to crops.

Glyphosate‐Resistant Soybean Response to Micro‐Rates of Three Dicamba‐Based Herbicides

Core Ideas The impact of simulated dicamba drift on growth and yield of glyphosate‐resistant soybean was similar among dicamba formulations. The impact of dicamba drift on soybean could be influenced by moisture condition of the environmental field. Late vegetative or early flowering stage of soybean was the most sensitive growth stage to dicamba drift. New dicamba‐based herbicides such as Engenia (N,N‐bis‐(3‐aminopropyl) methylamine salt) and XtendiMax (diglycolamine salt) with VaporGrip technology were developed to reduce dicamba volatility and drift; however, there are claims that these products can still volatilize or drift. Field studies were conducted to evaluate glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine))–resistant (GR) soybean response to micro‐rates (0, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/100, 1/50, and 1/10 of the label rate, 560 g a.e. ha−1) of the two new dicamba products compared with Clarity (diglycolamine salt) applied at three growth stages. The GR soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was equally impacted by the micro‐rates of all three products as measured by visual injury, height reduction, delayed physiological maturity, and yield reduction. The greatest visual injury (80%), plant height reduction (65%), maturity delay (22 d), and soybean yield loss (96%) was caused by 1/10 of the dicamba label rate when applied at V7/R1 soybean growth stage. In addition, estimation of effective dose for 5, 10, or 20% yield reduction suggested that V7/R1 was the most sensitive soybean growth stage to the three dicamba products. For example, 10% yield reduction occurred when 1.83 to 1.85 g a.e. ha−1 (∼1/300 of the label rate) of Engenia was applied at V2 or R2, whereas, a lower dose of 0.32 g a.e. ha−1 (1/1750 of the label rate) of Engenia caused the same level of yield reduction when applied at V7/R1. Similar doses were estimated for Clarity and XtendiMax; therefore dicamba drift should be avoided at all costs, because GR soybean was equally sensitive to low rates of all three tested products with different formulations or technologies.

Interference of Volunteer Corn from Different Origins and Emergence Time on Soybean Yield and Stress Metabolism

ABSTRACT: Volunteer corn occurrence with soybean is favored by the glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn cultivation preceding soybean and no-tillage systems. Volunteer corn interference causes significant losses in soybean grain yield. The levels of crop losses change with the corn density, origin, and time of emergence. High levels of weed interference in crops can result in the production of reactive oxygen species and lead to the occurrence of oxidative stress. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of interference of (1) different origins (individual plants and clumps) and times of emergence of volunteer corn on soybean growth, yield components, and grain yield loss; and (2) if the volunteer corn interference causes oxidative stress in soybean. Field experiment and laboratory analyses were performed. The evaluated variables were soybean yield components, grain yield, hydrogen peroxide - H2O2 content, and antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, and ascorbate peroxidase - APX activities. Volunteer corn interference reduced the yield components and soybean yield. The highest yield losses were observed with volunteer corn clumps regarding individual plants. The interference of volunteer corn emerged 10 days before or on the same day as soybean caused the greater yield losses than those emerged 10 days after, independently of its origin. The content of H2O2 and enzyme SOD, CAT and APX activities changed in soybean leaves in response to the interference of volunteer corn plants and clumps. However, the results indicate that the volunteer corn interferences does not cause oxidative stress in soybean.

Effects of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Establishment Time and Distance from the Crop Row on Biological and Phenological Characteristics of the Weed: Implications on Soybean Yield

AbstractInformation about weed biology and weed population dynamics is critical for the development of efficient weed management programs. A field experiment was conducted in Fayetteville, AR, during 2014 and 2015 to examine the effects of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeriS. Watson) establishment time in relation to soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] emergence and the effects ofA. palmeridistance from the soybean row on the weed’s height, biomass, seed production, and flowering time and on soybean yield. The establishment time factor, in weeks after crop emergence (WAE), was composed of six treatment levels (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 WAE), whereas the distance from the crop consisted of three treatment levels (0, 24, and 48 cm). Differences inA. palmeribiomass and seed production averaged across distance from the crop were found at 0 and 1 WAE in both years. Establishment time had a significant effect onA. palmeriseed production through greater biomass production and height increases at earlier dates.Amaranthus palmerithat was established with the crop (0 WAE) overtopped soybean at about 7 and 10 WAE in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Distance from the crop affectedA. palmeriheight, biomass, and seed production. The greater the distance from the crop, the higherA. palmeriheight, biomass, and seed production at 0 and 1 WAE compared with other dates (i.e., 2, 4, 6, and 8 WAE).Amaranthus palmeriestablishment time had a significant impact on soybean yield, but distance from the crop did not. The earlierA. palmeriinterfered with soybean (0 and 1 WAE), the greater the crop yield reduction; after that period no significant yield reductions were recorded compared with the rest of the weed establishment times. Knowledge ofA. palmeriresponse, especially at early stages of its life cycle, is important for designing efficient weed management strategies and cropping systems that can enhance crop competitiveness. Control ofA. palmeriwithin the first week after crop emergence or reduced distance between crop and weed are important factors for an effective implementation of weed management measures againstA. palmeriand reduced soybean yield losses due to weed interference.

Over-expression of GmKR3, a TIR–NBS–LRR type R gene, confers resistance to multiple viruses in soybean

That overexpression of GmKR3 enhances innate virus resistance by stimulating. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is found in many soybean production areas, and SMV infection is one of the prevalent viral diseases that can cause significant yield losses in soybean. In plants, resistance (R) genes are involved in pathogen reorganization and innate immune response activation. Most R proteins have nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) domains, and some of the NBS-LRR type R proteins in dicots have Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor (TIR) motifs. We report here the analysis of the over-expression of GmKR3, a soybean TIR-NBS-LRR type R gene on virus resistance in soybean. When over-expressed in soybean, GmKR3 enhanced the plant's resistance to several strains of SMV, the closely related potyviruses bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and the secovirus bean pod mottle virus (BPMV). Importantly, over-expression of GmKR3 did not affect plant growth and development, including yield and qualities of the seeds. HPLC analysis showed that abscisic acid (ABA) content increased in the 35S:GmKR3 transgenic plants, and in both wild-type and 35S:GmKR3 transgenic plants in response to virus inoculation. Consistent with this observation, we found that the expression of two ABA catabolism genes was down-regulated in 35S:GmKR3 transgenic plants. We also found that the expression of Gm04.3, an ABA responsive gene encoding BURP domain-containing protein, was up-regulated in 35S:GmKR3 transgenic plants. Taken together, our results suggest that overexpression of GmKR3 enhanced virus resistance in soybean, which was achieved at least in part via ABA signaling.

Enhanced resistance to sclerotinia stem rot in transgenic soybean that overexpresses a wheat oxalate oxidase.

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by the oxalate-secreting necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the devastating diseases that causes significant yield loss in soybean (Glycine max). Until now, effective control of the pathogen is greatly limited by a lack of strong resistance in available commercial soybean cultivars. In this study, transgenic soybean plants overexpressing an oxalic acid (OA)-degrading oxalate oxidase gene OXO from wheat were generated and evaluated for their resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Integration and expression of the transgene were confirmed by Southern and western blot analyses. As compared with non-transformed (NT) control plants, the transgenic lines with increased oxalate oxidase activity displayed significantly reduced lesion sizes, i.e., by 58.71-82.73% reduction of lesion length in a detached stem assay (T3 and T4 generations) and 76.67-82.0% reduction of lesion area in a detached leaf assay (T4 generation). The transgenic plants also showed increased tolerance to the externally applied OA (60mM) relative to the NT controls. Consecutive resistance evaluation further confirmed an enhanced and stable resistance to S. sclerotiorum in the T3 and T4 transgenic lines. Similarly, decreased OA content and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels were also observed in the transgenic leaves after S. sclerotiorum inoculation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression level of OXO reached a peak at 1h and 4h after inoculation with S. sclerotiorum. In parallel, a significant up-regulation of the hypersensitive response-related genes GmNPR1-1, GmNPR1-2, GmSGT1, and GmRAR occurred, eventually induced by increased release of H2O2 at the infection sites. Interestingly, other defense-related genes such as salicylic acid-dependent genes (GmPR1, GmPR2, GmPR3, GmPR5, GmPR12 and GmPAL), and ethylene/jasmonic acid-dependent genes (GmAOS, GmPPO) also exhibited higher expression levels in the transgenic plants than in the NT controls. Our results demonstrated that overexpression of OXO enhances SSR resistance by degrading OA secreted by S. sclerotiorum and increasing H2O2 levels, and eliciting defense responses mediated by multiple signaling pathways.

Global historical soybean and wheat yield loss estimates from ozone pollution considering water and temperature as modifying effects

Ozone pollution can severely diminish crop yields. Its damaging effects depend, apart from ozone concentration, on crop, cultivar, water status, temperature and CO2 concentration. Previous studies estimating global yield loss from ozone pollution did not consider all of these co-factors and climate change impact studies on crop yields typically ignore ozone pollution. Here we introduce an ozone damage module for the widely used process-based crop model LPJmL. The implementation describes ozone uptake through stomata, internal detoxification and short- and long-term effects on productivity and phenology, dynamically accounting for all listed co-factors. Using this enhanced model we estimate historical global yield losses from ozone pollution for wheat and soybeans. We divide wheat into “Western” and “Asian” to account for higher ozone sensitivities in Asian types. We apply daily ozone concentrations obtained from six chemistry-transport models provided by the ACCMIP and HTAP2 projects.Our implementation of ozone damage follows expected dynamics, for example damage amplification under irrigation. The model is able to reproduce results from chamber and field studies. Historical ozone-induced losses between 2008 and 2010 vary between countries, and we estimate these between 2 and 10% of ozone-free yields for soybeans, between 0 and 27% for Western wheat and 4 and 39% for Asian wheat.Our study highlights the threat of ozone pollution for global crop production and improves over previous studies by considering co-factors of ozone damage. Uncertainties of our study include the extrapolation from rather few point observations to the globe, possible biases in ozone data, omission of sub-daily fluctuations in ozone concentration or stomatal conductance and the averaging of different cultivars across regions. We suggest performing further field-scale experimental studies of ozone effects on crops, as these are currently rare but would be particularly helpful to evaluate models and to estimate large-scale effects of ozone.

Crop yield sensitivity of global major agricultural countries to droughts and the projected changes in the future

Understanding the potential drought impacts on agricultural production is critical for ensuring global food security. Instead of providing a deterministic estimate, this study investigates the likelihood of yield loss of wheat, maize, rice and soybeans in response to droughts of various intensities in the 10 largest producing countries. We use crop-country specific standardized precipitation index (SPI) and census yield data for 1961–2016 to build a probabilistic modeling framework for estimating yield loss risk under a moderate (−1.2 < SPI < −0.8), severe (−1.5 < SPI < −1.3), extreme (−1.9 < SPI < −1.6) and exceptional (SPI < −2.0) drought. Results show that there is >80% probability that wheat production will fall below its long-term average when experiencing an exceptional drought, especially in USA and Canada. As for maize, India shows the highest risk of yield reduction under droughts, while rice is the crop that is most vulnerable to droughts in Vietnam and Thailand. Risk of drought-driven soybean yield loss is the highest in USA, Russian and India. Yield loss risk tends to grow faster when experiencing a shift in drought severity from moderate to severe than that from extreme to the exceptional category, demonstrating the non-linear response of yield to the increase in drought severity. Sensitivity analysis shows that temperature plays an important role in determining drought impacts, through reducing or amplifying drought-driven yield loss risk. Compared to present conditions, an ensemble of 11 crop models simulated an increase in yield loss risk by 9%–12%, 5.6%–6.3%, 18.1%–19.4% and 15.1%–16.1 for wheat, maize, rice and soybeans by the end of 21st century, respectively, without considering the benefits of CO2 fertilization and adaptations. This study highlights the non-linear response of yield loss risk to the increase in drought severity. This implies that adaptations should be more targeted, considering not only the crop type and region but also the specific drought severity of interest.

Effect of target spot on soybean yield and factors affecting this relationship

The lack of robust estimates of soybean yield losses due to target spot led to this study. The objective was to determine whether soybean yield at stage R8 (W, expressed as kg ha−1) was related to target spot severity at soybean stage R5–R6 (S, expressed as %) and to identify variables that could affect this relationship. Plot‐level estimates of mean disease severity and yield from 41 selected Uniform Fungicide Trials carried out in Brazil during 2012–2016 growing seasons were used to estimate linear regression coefficients for the relationship between yield and target spot severity through random‐coefficient mixed effects model analysis. The overall estimated mean regression intercept and slope were = 3564 kg ha−1 (disease‐free yield) and = −17.1 kg ha−1 %−1 (W decrease per percent increase in S), respectively. The model was then refitted with different covariates to determine their effects on model parameters. β0 was influenced by baseline yield (less than or greater than 3300 kg ha−1) and β1 was affected by yield response to fungicide treatments. Estimated yield loss at 50% target spot severity ranged from 8% to 42%. Cultivar also had a significant effect on the magnitude of yield reduction due to target spot, which ranged from 11% to 42%, depending on the cultivar.

Economic Threshold of Volunteer Corn GR® in Soybean as a Function of Emergence Time and Origin of Corn

ABSTRACT: Volunteer corn is extremely competitive with soybean and the degree of interference varies with the corn density, time of emergence and origin. The objectives of this work were to determine the economic threshold (ET) of volunteer corn GR® F2 in soybean as a function of the time of emergence (same day and nine days after soybean) and origin (individual plants or clumps). Each clump was manually adjusted to have seven corn plants. Four field experiments were conducted in randomized blocks design with four replicates in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The soybean yield losses (%) were calculated and adjusted to the model of the rectangular hyperbola and generated the parameters for the determination of the ET, that was calculated based on the volunteer corn control costs (US$ ha-1), efficiency of control (%), price paid for soybean (US$ kg-1) and soybean yield (kg ha-1). The ET mean was 0.3 and 0.48 for individual corn plants m-2 emerged together and nine days after soybean, and 0.08 and 0.03 m-2 for individual plants and clumps, respectively. Increases in grain yield and price paid for soybean, greater control efficiency of corn and lower control cost promote reduction in the ET of volunteer corn in soybean. The control of volunteer corn is justified in a density less than 0.5 individual plant m-2 and is close to zero when corn originates from clumps. Volunteer corn is one of the most competitive weed in soybean crops.

Herbicide Programs Utilizing Halauxifen-Methyl for Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) Control in Soybean

Evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, such as horseweed, presents major challenges in no-till soybean production systems. Effective GR horseweed control with preplant burndown applications is necessary to prevent potential soybean yield losses due to competition and to manage the soil weed seedbank. Halauxifen-methyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide for broadleaf weed control in preplant burndown applications for soybean and other crops at low use rates (5 g ae ha–1). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbicide treatments containing halauxifen-methyl for control of GR horseweed in comparison to existing herbicide treatments utilized in no-till GR soybean systems. Glyphosate alone controlled horseweed 33%. Herbicide treatments that included halauxifen-methyl, dicamba, or saflufenacil in combination with glyphosate controlled horseweed 87% to 96%, 89%, and 93%, respectively, 35 d after burndown application (DAB). Horseweed control, horseweed density reduction, and ground cover reduction by halauxifen-methyl plus glyphosate was similar to dicamba plus glyphosate. Horseweed control was greater for halauxifen-methyl plus glyphosate than for 2,4-D plus glyphosate. Cloransulam, cloransulam plus flumioxazin, and cloransulam plus sulfentrazone added to halauxifen-methyl plus glyphosate increased horseweed control and reduced horseweed density. No herbicide injury or soybean yield reduction was observed for treatments containing halauxifen-methyl.

Soybean Response to Dicamba: A Meta-Analysis

AbstractA meta-analysis of 11 previously published field studies was conducted with the objectives being to (1) estimate the no observable effects dose (NOED) for dicamba on susceptible soybean; (2) evaluate available evidence for hormesis, or increased soybean yield in response to low doses of dicamba; (3) estimate the dose of dicamba likely to cause measurable soybean yield loss under field conditions; and (4) quantify the relationship between visible injury symptoms and soybean yield loss. All studies that included visible injury data (N=7) reported injury symptoms at the lowest nonzero dicamba dose applied (as low as 0.03 g ae ha−1), and therefore a NOED could not be estimated from the existing peer-reviewed literature. Based on statistical tests for hormesis, there is insufficient evidence to support any claim of increased soybean yield at low dicamba doses. Future research should include a range of dicamba doses lower than 0.03 g ha−1to estimate a NOED and determine whether a hormesis effect is possible at or below dicamba doses that cause visible injury symptoms. Soybean is more susceptible to dicamba when exposed at flowering (R1 to R2 stage) compared with vegetative stages (V1 to V7). A dicamba dose of 0.9 g ha−1(95% CI=0.08 to 1.7) at the flowering stage was estimated to cause 5% soybean yield loss. When exposed at vegetative stages, dicamba doses that cause less than 30% visible injury symptoms (95% CI=23 to 49%) appear unlikely to cause greater than 5% soybean yield loss; however, if soybean is exposed at flowering, visible injury symptoms greater than 12% (95% CI=8 to 16%) are likely to be associated with at least 5% soybean yield loss.