Resistance of soybean genotypes to Macrophomina phaseolina

• Grant number: 25/27917-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Daiana Bampi
• Grantee: Matheus Dias Ramire
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is the world's largest soybean producer. However, yield can be negatively affected by disease-causing pathogens. Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot, has gained prominence in recent years. To date, this is the only species of the genus Macrophomina reported in this crop as the causal agent of the disease. This study aims to evaluate the genetic resistance of soybean genotypes released since the 1960s to Macrophomina phaseolina. To identify resistance, 50 soybean cultivars released since the 1960s will be evaluated. The experiments will be conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design with five replications. Disease severity will be assessed 30 days after seedling emergence using a 0-5 rating scale. Genotypes showing higher levels of resistance will then be challenged with an additional set of 10 isolates collected from different regions of Brazil. (AU)