Progress 04/22/15 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted beneficiaries of this project are growers, breeders, and seed companies associated with perennial forage and bioenergy crops nationwide. Information gained will assist growers in crop variety selection(s) for production on marginal lands that are often unsuitable for other forage crops. Likewise, forage crop breeders will utilize this information to enhance their selection programs toward improving available varieties, whereas, disease survey data gained through this project, will provide seed producers with resistance ratings for common pathogens permitting consumers to integrate plant resistance into their disease mitigation strategies. The project will also assist in cultivar selection of perennial bioenergy grasses to best fit regional biomass, soil, and wildlife conservation programs. Changes/Problems:PI only contributed to the first two objectives. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Scientific peers have been informed of results of our research through NE1010 meetings and communications, referred journal articles, and posters presented at biennial Switchgrass Conferences. Presentations have been made on an annual basis to seed company personnel and growers at the Cornell Seed Growers Field Day each July in Ithaca, NY. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
(1) Evaluate new plant characters and develop germplasm and cultivars with these characters to improve perennial forage species as livestock feed and biofuel uses to enhance rural vitality and promote more secure energy sources. We assisted collaborator Dr. Donald Viands (Cornell - Plant Breeding) and his research program personnel to delimit and quantify the severity of foliar pathogens among upland switchgrass populations selected for increased resistance to common pests (e.g., switchgrass gall midge, Chilophaga virgate). The occurrence of rust fungi (Puccinia emaculata and Uromyces graminicola) and the smut fungus (Tilletia maclaganii) were also surveyed across all plantings of commercially important switchgrass cultivars (e.g., Cave-in-Rock, Kanlow, Summer, Sunburst) within the Cornell University farm system (Ithaca, NY) and the USDA-NRCS Plant Material Center in Big Flats, NY. For the latter site, the infection severity of head smut (percent panicles infected) was measured in a replicated, randomized block planting of switchgrass. These results were shared with switchgrass breeders and seed producers; this work was the first to document smut disease progress and switchgrass susceptibility by cultivar over multiple field seasons. We also documented leaf tip necrosis within two alfalfa variety trials (D. Viands, Cornell - Plant Breeding); necrosis was attributable to overhead fertilization and, based on monthly observations, was not adversely influencing crop establishment, persistence, and/or yield. In collaboration with Ernst Conservation Seed Company (Meadville, PA), we conducted field research that demonstrated the natural spread of switchgrass smut from individual inoculated plants to adjacent plants over multiple years. (2) Build on previous research to evaluate additional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable. We conducted a two-year study to determine the influence of soil nutrient (nitrogen-loading) and moisture regimes (drainage class) on switchgrass stand health. This project leveraged plant and site resources utilized by an existing USDA-funded project (Brian Richards, Cornell - Biological and Environmental Engineering). The site consisted of a replicated strip planting of the cultivar Shawnee with individual strip receiving 0, 50, or 100 lb. nitrogen/acre; wherein, soil moisture monitoring systems were established in parallel to capture a drainage catena representing three soil series of different drainage classes (Ellery, Langford, and Erie). Results revealed a negative correlation among nitrogen-loading and soil drainage with the frequency of head smut infection. The occurrence of head smut on swithgrass has increased remarkably over the last decade in the Northeast as stands mature; thus, our observations of nitrogen fertility and drainage effects could provide growers with useful tools to improve switchgrass yield and plant health on marginal, smut-infected sites. We also provided plant disease diagnostic services for biofeedstock grass breeders involved with NE1010. A good example of this was through cooperation with Dr. D.K. Lee we diagnosed a rust he found on prairie cordgrass in Illinois as Puccinia sparganioides, the ash rust fungus.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., M. Gu, G.C. Bergstrom, and D.K. Lee. 2018. First report of Puccinia sparganioides affecting prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) in Illinois. Plant Dis. 102: 1460. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-17-1870-PDN
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted beneficiaries of this project are growers, breeders, and seed companies associated with perennial forage and bioenergy crops nationwide. Information gained will assist growers in crop variety selection(s) for production on marginal lands that are often unsuitable for other forage crops. Likewise, switchgrass breeder will utilize this information to enhance their selection programs toward improving available varieties, whereas, disease survey data gained through this project, will provide seed producers with resistance ratings for common pathogens permitting consumers to integrate plant resistance into their disease mitigation strategies. The project will also assist in cultivar selection of perennial bioenergy grasses to best-fit regional biomass, soil, and wildlife conservation programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project continued to provide Dr. Shawn Kenaley (Bergstrom Laboratory, Cornell) the opportunity to attend the NE-1010 meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As in 2016, Dr. Kenaley took a lead role in the meeting serving a secretary, providing meeting minutes to the chair and attendees. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three projects have been completed: 1) a field evaluation of switchgrass susceptibility to head smut (Tilletia maclaganii) across commercially important cultivars; 2) relationship between the incidence of head smut and soil nitrogen-loading in a switchgrass bioenergy system; and, 3) phylogenetic assessment of switchgrass rust fungi utilizing contemporary and historical specimens. The PI will look to present the results of these projects at extension and professional meetings in 2018 as well as submit each study for publication in refereed journals. Dr. Shawn Kenaley (Cornell, Bergstrom Laboratory) also presented results of the smut evaluation and rust fungi projects at Prairie and Native Grass International Conference, August 7-10, in Lincoln, NE. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal (1) Accomplishments Across 2017, we continued collaborating with Dr. Donald Viands (Cornell - Plant Breeding) and his research program personnel to delimit and quantify pests and diseases affecting northern upland switchgrass populations selected for increased resistance to switchgrass gall midge (Chilophaga virgate) as well as the leaf spot pathogen, Bipolaris oryzae. Field collections for rust fungi (Puccinia spp.) and the smut fungus (Tilletia maclaganii) were conducted across commercially important switchgrass cultivars (e.g., Cave-in-Rock, Kanlow, Summer, and Sunburst) as well within the Cornell University farm system (Ithaca, NY). Collaboration with the Viands' research group also yielded a new avenue of study: the resistance of promising alfalfa germplasm to the yellow leaf blotch fungus (Leptotrochila medicagini). Alfalfa disease survey results in 2016 and 2017 yield trails within New York State suggested a possible link between potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) resistance and the severity of yellow leaf blotch, whereby, germplasm with demonstrated leafhopper resistance exhibited improved resistance to yellow leaf blotch. Controlled-greenhouse inoculations will be executed in winter 2018 to validate 2016-2017 field disease ratings as well as examine leaf blotch resistance across a selection of leaf hopper resistant and susceptible germplasm. Our continued work with Dr. William Flynn at Ernst Conservation Seed Company (Meadville, PA) - the largest commercial seed producer of switchgrass in the U.S. - also yielded great progress in 2017; specifically, toward addressing epidemiological questions surrounding head smut. The latter switchgrass disease has progressively and significantly reduced seed yield over the last decade across many of the company's production fields in switchgrass. In May 2016, we transplanted smut-infected plants (N= 60) from various nursery plots into uninfected selection trials of Cave-in-Rock, Summer, and a tetraploid cross of Timber x Kanlow near the company's headquarters. Transplants were interplanted within the center of the aforementioned trials (N= 20 smut-infected plants/trial) approximately every 1.5 m beginning 10.5 m from the western boundary. All but one of the 60 transplants yielded smut-infected panicles by August 2016, whereas, no smut was observed in neighboring plants throughout the first growing season. In July 2017, we also found that the majority of smut-infected transplants produced new tillers, with many of these tillers yielding infected panicles. Moreover, lateral spread - from infected transplants to previously uninfected neighboring plants - was observed in cultivars Cave-in-Rock and Shawnee. Over the next four years, we will continue to conduct biannual surveys (peak flowering and autumn) within each trial to determine differences in smut-susceptibility among cultivars (percent infection) and in field disease progress (e.g., directionality of focal expansion and delimit satellite infection foci). The mechanism contributing to lateral disease spread - wind dissemination of teliospores or functional root graphs - remains unclear. Thus, during our annual July trip to Ernst Conservation Seed Co., we established a field inoculation experiment to examine the susceptibility of aboveground plant parts (e.g., leaf axils) to smut infection. Inoculated switchgrass will be monitored and assessed for smut in summer and fall 2018. Collectively, these projects will provide needed insight into switchgrass head smut: the mode(s) of disease spread and annual rate of disease increase as well as infection biology. These data will be of great importance as we look to design and evaluate future smut disease mitigation strategies. Goal (2) Accomplishments We established a three-year study (2015-2017) to determine the influence of fertilization (nitrogen-loading) and soil moisture (drainage class) on switchgrass stand health. The project leveraged plant and site resources utilized by an existing USDA-funded project (Brian Richards, Cornell - Biological and Environmental Engineering). The site consists of a replicated strip planting of the cultivar Shawnee with individual strip receiving 0, 50, or 100 lb nitrogen/acre; wherein, soil moisture monitoring systems were established in parallel to capture a drainage catena representing three soil series of different drainage classes (Ellery, Langford, and Erie). Analysis of Year 1 (2015) data revealed a negative correlation among annual nitrogen-loading and the frequency of head smut infection, whereby the incidence of smut infection (% panicles-infected) was 1.6%, 5.3%, and 28.9% across replicated switchgrass plantings receiving 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre nitrogen, respectively. A similar correlation was evident in 2016, Year 2, in that the incidence of smutted-panicles in switchgrass receiving 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre was 98.0%, 85.6% and 58.9%. Extreme drought occurred throughout the Northeast in summer 2016; likely stunting the growth of all plants under study. However, even under extreme drought, the application of nitrogen at 100 lb/acre reduced the incidence of smut by approximately 39%. The final disease survey across nitrogen regimes was conducted in August 2017 (Year 3) and, remarkably, the incidence of head smut returned to near year 2015 levels across nitrogen application rates: 39%, 10%, and 6% within plantings receiving 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre nitrogen, respectively. Spring 2017 precipitation was above normal before transitioning to normal- or near-normal precipitation patterns in the summer months. Final results suggest an intimate link exists between switchgrass growth/physiology and the expression of head smut. The occurrence of switchgrass head smut has increased significantly over the last decade in the northeastern U.S. as stands mature; thus, these data could provide switchgrass seed producers with a necessary tool to improve seed yield on marginal, smut infected sites. In 2017, as part of our continued efforts to determine the species diversity and biology of rust fungi affecting bioenergy switchgrass, we constructed a broader phylogenetic dataset, integrating internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S sequence data from contemporary collections and herbariums specimens. Phylogenetic analyses revealed four monophyletic clades: P. emaculata sensu stricto, P. novopanici, P. pammelii, and the P. graminicola complex. Results also clearly indicated that P. emaculata s.s. is a principal parasite of witchgrass (Panicum capillare) and likely does not infect switchgrass. Once classified under P. emaculata s.l., Aecidium pammelii and P. pammelii were distinct phylogenetically from P. emaculata s.s. and were recovered in the same clade, demonstrating aecial-telial host alternation for P. pammelii between flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata) and switchgrass. Puccinia graminicola appears to be a compound species as P. gramincola s.s. and Aecidium stillingiae - the suspected aecial state of P. graminicola s.s. - on queen's delight (Stillingia sylvatica) were to delimited phylogenetically to the same clade. The latter taxon A. stillingiae, however, was recovered in a subclade within P. graminicola and was genetically identical to the recently described taxon Puccinia pascua. Queen's delight likely is not the aecial host to P. graminicola s.s. as previously reported and additional molecular analyses are necessary to delimit species boundaries and subspecific taxa within the P. graminicola complex. Moreover, the majority of contemporary specimens were classified to P. novopanici - a species most closely-related, morphologically and phylogenetically, to P. emaculata s.s. In sum, our work demonstrated that bioenergy switchgrass is host to at least three and possibly four phylogenetically distinct species; presenting a significant challenge to the future selection and breeding of switchgrass with improved rust resistance.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., J.A. Cummings, C.N. Layton, and G.C. Bergstrom. 2017 (Poster). Natural development of head smut (Tilletia maclaganii) in switchgrass over five years. Switchgrass IV, Prairie and Native Grass International Conference: Genetics to Conversion. August 7-10, Lincoln, NE.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., M. Quan, and G.C. Bergstrom. 2017 (Poster). Species diversity and epidemiology of switchgrass rust fungi: Puccinia emaculata sensu lato and Uromyces graminicola. Switchgrass IV, Prairie and Native Grass International Conference: Genetics to Conversion. August 7-10, Lincoln, NE.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted beneficiaries of this project are growers, breeders, and seed companies associated with perennial forage and bioenergy crops nationwide. Information gained will assist growers in crop variety selection(s) for production on marginal lands that are often unsuitable for other forage crops. Likewise, switchgrass breeder will utilize this information to enhance their selection programs toward improving available varieties, whereas, disease survey data gained through this project, will provide seed producers with resistance ratings for common pathogens permitting consumers to integrate plant resistance into their disease mitigation strategies. The project will also assist in cultivar selection of perennial bioenergy grasses to best-fit regional biomass, soil, and wildlife conservation programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided Dr. Shawn Kenaley (Bergstrom Laboratory, Cornell) the opportunity to attend the NE-1010 meeting in Madison, WI. Dr. Kenaley took a lead role in the meeting serving as secretary and taking a section lead in the development of the 2017-2022 multi-state cooperative research project proposal. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One peer-reviewed manuscript - Kenaley et al. (2016) - was published in 2016 to inform the science community of our work. Two projects have also been completed: 1) field evaluation of switchgrass susceptibility to head smut (TIlletia maclaganii) across commercially important cultivars, and 2) relationship between the incidence of head smut and soil nitrogen-loading in a switchgrass bioenergy system. The PI will look to present the results of the latter two projects at extension and professional meetings as well as prepare both studies for publication in separate refereed journals germane to bioenergy and biomass communities. Dr. Shawn Kenaley (Cornell, Bergstrom Laboratory) also presented the field evaluation project at the American Phytopathological Society (APS), Northeastern Division Meeting (October 19-21) in Ithaca, NY. The PI presented the poster entitled, "Switchgrass leaf rust in U.S. caused by two genetically and morphologically distinct, yet, closely-related fungi," at the APS Society, Northeast Division Meeting (January 3-7) in Philadelphia, PA. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?At present, one peer-reviewed manuscript - Kenaley et al. (2016) - was published in 2016 to inform the science community (e.g., switchgrass breeders and growers) of our work. However, two research articles are in preparation: 1) field evaluation of switchgrass susceptibility to head smut (Tilletia maclaganii) across commercially important cultivars, and 2) relationship between the incidence of head smut and soil nitrogen-loading in a switchgrass bioenergy system.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
(1) Evaluate new plant characters and develop germplasm and cultivars with these characters to improve perennial forage species as livestock feed and biofuel uses to enhance rural vitality and promote more secure energy sources. We have continued to assist collaborator Dr. Donald Viands (Cornell - Plant Breeding) and his research program personnel to delimit and quantify pests and diseases affecting northern upland switchgrass populations selected for increased resistance to switchgrass gall midge (Chilophaga virgate). In collaboration with the Viands program, we also examined the incidence of rust fungi (Puccinia emaculata and Uromyces graminicola) and the smut fungus (Tilletia maclaganii) across all plantings of commercially important switchgrass cultivars (e.g., Cave-in-Rock, Kanlow, Summer, Sunburst) within the Cornell University farm system (Ithaca, NY). Likewise, diseases surveys were also executed across natural accessions and commercial cultivars of switchgrass at the USDA-NRCS Plant Material Center in Big Flats, NY to further identify pathogens significantly affecting plant performance. These data will be utilized to further inform switchgrass breeders and seed producers of pathogen risk(s) and the expression of pathogen-specific resistance as well as the future development of integrated disease management strategies. Our continued work with Dr. William Flynn at Ernst Conservation Seed Company (Meadville, PA) - the largest commercial seed producer of switchgrass in the U.S. - also yielded great progress in 2016; specifically, toward addressing epidemiological questions surrounding head smut. The latter switchgrass disease has progressively and significantly reduced seed yield over the last decade across many of the company's production fields in switchgrass. Thus, in May 2016, we transplanted smut-infected plants (N= 60) from various nursery plots into uninfected selection trials of Cave-in-Rock, Summer, and a tetraploid cross of Timber x Kanlow near the company's headquarters. Transplants were interplanted within the center of the aforementioned trials (N= 20 smut-infected plants/trial) approximately every 1.5 m beginning 10.5 m from the western boundary. All but one of the 60 transplants yielded smut-infected panicles by August 2016, whereas, no smut was observed in neighboring plants throughout the first growing season. We will conduct biannual surveys (peak flowering and autumn) over the next four years within each trial to determine differences in smut-susceptibility among cultivars (percent infection) and in field disease progress (e.g., directionality of focal expansion and delimit satellite infection foci). This project will provide needed insight into the mode(s) of disease spread and annual rate of disease increase as well as critical data upon which to design and evaluate smut disease mitigation strategies. (2) Build on previous research to evaluate additional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable. In 2015, we established a two-year study (2015-2016) to determine the influence of soil nutrient (nitrogen-loading) and moisture regimes (drainage class) on switchgrass stand health. This project leverages plant and site resources utilized by an existing USDA-funded project (Brian Richards, Cornell - Biological and Environmental Engineering). The site consists of a replicated strip planting of the cultivar Shawnee with individual strip receiving 0, 50, or 100 lb nitrogen/acre; wherein, soil moisture monitoring systems were established in parallel to capture a drainage catena representing three soil series of different drainage classes (Ellery, Langford, and Erie). Analysis of Year 1 (2015) data revealed a negative correlation among annual nitrogen-loading and the frequency of head smut infection, whereby the incidence of smut infection (% panicles-infected) was 1.6%, 5.3%, and 28.9% across replicated switchgrass plantings receiving 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre nitrogen, respectively. A similar correlation was evident in 2016, Year 2, in that the incidence of smutted-panicles in switchgrass receiving 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre was 98.0%, 85.6% and 58.9%. Extreme drought occurred throughout the Northeast in summer 2016; likely stunting the growth of all plants under study. However, even under extreme drought, the application of nitrogen at 100 lb/acre reduced the incidence of smut by approximately 39% . The occurrence of head smut on switchgrass has increased remarkably over the last decade in the northeastern U.S. as stands mature; thus, these data could provide switchgrass growers and seed producers with a necessary tool to improve switchgrass performance and plant health on marginal, smut infected sites.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., G.W. Hudler, G.C. Bergstrom. 2016. Detection and phylogenetic relationships of Puccinia emaculata and Uromyces graminicola (Pucciniales) on switchgrass in New York State using rDNA sequence information. Fungal Biology 120: 791806
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., J.A. Cummings, C.N. Layton, and G.C. Bergstrom. 2016. Natural development of head smut (Tilletia maclaganii) in seven cultivars of switchgrass over five years. The American Phytopathological Society, Northeastern Division Meeting. October 1921, Ithaca, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C. and G.C. Bergstrom. 2016 (Poster). Switchgrass leaf rust in U.S. caused by two genetically and morphologically distinct, yet, closely-related fungi. American Phytopathological Society, Northeast Division Meeting. January 37, Philadelphia, PA.
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Progress 04/22/15 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted beneficiaries of this project are growers, breeders, and seed companies associated with perennial forage and bioenergy crops nationwide. Information gained will assist growers in crop variety selection(s) for production on marginal lands that are often unsuitable for other forage crops. Likewise, forage crop breeders will utilize this information to enhance their selection programs toward improving available varieties,whereas, disease survey data gained through this project, will provide seed producers with resistance ratings for common pathogens permitting consumers to integrate plant resistance into their disease mitigation strategies. The project will also assist in cultivar selection of perennialbioenergy grasses to best-fit regional biomass, soil, and wildlife conservation programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?At present, one peer-reviewedmanuscript- Kenaley et al. (In Press) - will be published in 2016 to inform the science community (e.g., switchgrass breeders and growers) of our work. Two projects are also nearing completion: 1) field evaluation of switchgrass susceptibility to head smut (TIlletia maclaganii) across commercially important cultivars, and 2) relationship between the incidence of head smut and soil nitrogen-loadingin a switchgrass bioenergy system. The PI will look topresent the results of the latter two projects at extension and professional meetings as well as prepareboth studies for publication in separate refereed journals germane to bioenergy and biomass communities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?At present, one peer-reviewedmanuscript- Kenaley et al. (In Press) - will be published in 2016 to inform the science community (e.g., switchgrass breeders and growers) of our work. However, two projects are also nearing completion: 1) field evaluation of switchgrass susceptibility to head smut (Tilletia maclaganii) acrosscommercially important cultivars, and 2) relationship between the incidence of head smut and soil nitrogen-loadingin a switchgrass bioenergy system. The PI will look topresent the results of the latter two projects in 2016 at extension and professional meetings as well as prepare both studies for publication in separate refereed journals germane to bioenergy and biomass communities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
(1)Evaluate new plant characters and develop germplasm and cultivars with these characters to improve perennial forage species as livestock feed and biofuel uses to enhance rural vitality and promote more secure energy sources. We assistedcollaborator Dr. Donald Viands (Cornell - Plant Breeding) and his research program personnel to delimit and quantifytheseverity of foliar pathogensamong upland switchgrass populations selected for increased resistance to common pests (e.g., switchgrass gall midge, Chilophaga virgate). The occurrence ofrust fungi(Puccinia emaculata and Uromyces graminicola) and the smut fungus(Tilletia maclaganii) were also surveyed across all plantings of commercially important switchgrass cultivars (e.g., Cave-in-Rock, Kanlow, Summer, Sunburst) within the Cornell University farm system (Ithaca, NY) and the USDA-NRCS Plant Material Center in Big Flats, NY. For the latter site, the infection severity of head smut (percent panicles infected) was measured in a replicated, randomized block planting of switchgrass. These data will be utilized in a future publication as well as disseminated to switchgrass breeders and seed producers; this work is thefirst to document smut disease progress and switchgrass susceptibility by cultivar over multiplefield seasons.We also documented leaftip necrosis within twoalfalfa variety trials (D. Viands, Cornell - Plant Breeding); necrosis was attributable to overhead fertilization and, based on monthly observations, was not adversely influencingcrop establishment, persistence, and/or yield. In collaboration with Ernst Conservation Seed Company (Meadville, PA), we have also begun planning a research program to address epidemiological questions surrounding head smut of switchgrass, particularly the germination biology of teliospores and the mode of infection in mature plants. An initial meeting to craft the trajectory of the aforementioned research program occurred on September 11, 2015 at the company's headquarters. (2) Build on previous research to evaluate additional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable. We begana two-year study (Year 2015-2016) to determine the influence of soil nutrient (nitrogen-loading) and moisture regimes (drainage class) on switchgrass stand health. This project leverages plant and site resources utilized by an existing USDA-funded project (Brian Richards, Cornell - Biological and Environmental Engineering). The site consists of a replicated strip planting of the cultivar Shawnee with individual strip receiving 0, 50, or 100 lb. nitrogen/acre;wherein, soil moisture monitoring systems were established in parallel to capture a drainage catena representing three soil series of different drainage classes (Ellery, Langford, and Erie). Analysis of Year 1 (2016) data is ongoing; however, preliminary results revealed a negative correlation among nitrogen-loading and the frequency of head smut infection. To our knowledge, no studyto date has demonstrated an interaction between nitrogen availability and smut disease in switchgrass. The occurrence of head smut on swithgrass has increased remarkably over the last decade in the Northeast as stands mature; thus, these data could provide growers with a necessary tool to improve switchgrass yield and plant health on marginal, smut-infectedsites.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C., G.W. Hudler, G.C. Bergstrom. In press. Detection and phylogenetic relationships of Puccinia emaculata and Uromyces graminicola (Pucciniales) on switchgrass in New York State using rDNA sequence information. Fungal Biology.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Kenaley, S.C. and G.C. Bergstrom. 2015. Poster: Switchgrass leaf rust in U.S. caused by two genetically and morphologically distinct, yet, closely-related fungi. Switchgrass III: Prairie and Native Grass International Conference. Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Knoxville, TN.
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