Progress 05/01/24 to 04/30/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Sugar beet growers, extension professionals, agriculture consultants, sugar beet processing companies such as Michigan sugar company, plant scientists and nematologist. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided significant opportunities for training and professional development. Ali Yaghoubi Akbar, a postdoctoral research associate funded through this grant, has been actively involved in mentoring and training undergraduate students, equipping them with hands-on experience in nematode research, laboratory techniques, and fieldwork. Through this training, students have gained valuable skills in soil sampling, nematode extraction, and data analysis, preparing them for future careers in agricultural sciences. Additionally, the grant has supported professional development opportunities, including participation in national and regional conferences. These events allow the research team to present their findings to industry experts, university researchers, and agricultural stakeholders, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration. Engaging with growers, extension specialists, and industry representatives at these conferences has provided valuable feedback, ensuring that the research remains applicable and impactful for sugar beet growers across the U.S. By integrating research, training, and outreach, this project is not only advancing sustainable nematode management but also contributing to workforce development by preparing the next generation of agricultural scientists. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of this project have been actively disseminated to key stakeholders, including sugar beet growers, industry professionals, and the scientific community, through multiple channels. Our research has been featured in the Michigan Sugar Company Publication Book (2023, 2024), ensuring that findings are accessible to growers and industry stakeholders. One notable publication includes: Ali Yaghoubi and Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel. 2023. Evaluating Cyst Nematode Resistance in Sugar Beet Varieties through Greenhouse Experiments. Ali Yaghoubi and Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel. 2024. Organic Amendments as a Sustainable Solution for Managing Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode in Michigan Additionally, we have submitted a peer-reviewed manuscript to Plant Disease for publication: Ali Yaghoubi, Razieh Yazdani, Marisol Quintanilla. 2025. Efficacy of Compost and Manure in Managing Heterodera schachtii and Improving Sugar Beet Yield. We are also preparing another manuscript for submission to Plant Disease: Ali Yaghoubi, Razieh Yazdani, Marisol Quintanilla. Host Status and Management Potential of Cover Crops for Heterodera schachtii. Beyond publications, we have actively presented our findings at scientific conferences to engage with researchers, extension specialists, and industry stakeholders. Notably, we presented: Yaghoubi, Ali, R. Yazdani, and M. Quintanilla. Evaluation of Sugar Beet Varieties and Rotational Crops for Managing Heterodera schachtii. Presented at the Society of Nematologists Annual Meeting, Utah, 2024. Through these outreach efforts, we aim to ensure that our research not only advances scientific knowledge but also provides practical, science-based solutions for managing sugar beet cyst nematode in real-world agricultural settings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will continue advancing our research on sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN) management through a combination of greenhouse, microplot, and field trials to further evaluate effective strategies. Greenhouse Trials: We will conduct controlled experiments to assess the efficacy of organic amendments, rotational crops, and sugar beet varieties for their resistance and tolerance to SBCN. Field Trials: Building on our greenhouse findings, we will extend our research to field conditions in sugar beet-growing regions, ensuring that our results translate into practical solutions for growers. Data Analysis and Publications: We will continue analyzing data from ongoing trials and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals to further disseminate our findings to the scientific community. Grower and Stakeholder Engagement: We plan to share our research results with sugar beet growers and stakeholders in Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota through presentations, field days, and industry meetings. Networking and Collaboration: By engaging with nematology experts and scientific professionals at national conferences and workshops, we will refine our management strategies and integrate feedback into future research directions. These efforts will not only contribute to developing sustainable SBCN management strategies but also ensure that our findings reach those who can apply them in real-world agricultural settings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We conducted a series of laboratory, greenhouse, and microplot experiments to evaluate the efficacy of various composts, manures, and cover crops in managing sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN) populations and improving sugar beet productivity. In laboratory egg-hatching assays, poultry manure, swine manure, Layer Ash Blend®, and Layer Manure® significantly reduced SBCN egg hatching rates, demonstrating strong suppressive effects. Greenhouse trials further validated these findings, showing that poultry manure and Layer Manure® led to substantial reductions in cyst, egg, and juvenile nematode populations, with higher application rates yielding the most pronounced effects. Additionally, microplot trials confirmed the effectiveness of these organic amendments under semi-field conditions, where they not only suppressed SBCN populations but also enhanced sugar beet yield and Brix percentage, indicating improved sugar content. We also assessed the host status of twelve cover crop species and cultivars from the Brassicaceae and Poaceae families for their potential role in SBCN management. Greenhouse experiments identified oilseed radish cultivars 'Concord' and 'Control' as non-hosts, while white mustard 'Master' was found to be highly susceptible. Microplot trials further suggested that daikon radish 'Eco-Till' and white mustard 'Master' reduced egg and juvenile nematode densities by over 65%, highlighting their potential contribution to integrated nematode management strategies. In addition, we are evaluating the resistance and tolerance of different sugar beet varieties to SBCN. The first year of trials yielded very promising results, identifying potential resistant and tolerant cultivars that could be valuable for nematode management. This research will continue into the next year to further validate these findings under varying environmental conditions. Currently, our team is finalizing data analysis and preparing manuscripts for publication. To ensure effective dissemination of our findings, we have delivered presentations, organized webinars, and collaborated with the Michigan Sugar Company to publish an extension article. Through these knowledge-sharing efforts, we aim to provide growers with sustainable strategies for SBCN management, reducing reliance on chemical nematicides while improving soil health and crop performance.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Yaghoubi, A., Yazdani, R., and Quintanilla, M. 2025. Host Status and Management Potential of Cover Crops for Heterodera schachtii. Plant Disease. Journal impact factor 4.5. In preparation
- Type:
Other
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Yazdani, R., Yaghoubi, A., Forsberg, L., Chung, Y., and Quintanilla, M. 2024. The occurrence of Heterodera glycines and other plant parasitic nematodes in Michigan soybean field. Journal of Nematology. Journal impact factor 1.44. Submitted
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Yaghoubi, A., Yazdani, R., and Quintanilla, M. 2024. Efficacy of Compost and Manure in Managing Heterodera schachtii and Improving Sugar Beet Yield. Plant Disease. Journal impact factor 4.5. Accepted
|
Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Sugar beet growers, extension professionals, agriculture consultants, sugar beet processing companies such as Michigan sugar company, plant scientists and nematologist. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ali Yaghoubi Akbar, a postdoctoral research associate, is funded through this grant and will be able to train undergraduate students to assist with the research. The grant also includes funding for professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences where the team can present their work to industry experts and receive valuable feedback from stakeholders in the agricultural sector. This feedback will help ensure that the research remains relevant and beneficial to sugar beet growers in the USA. In addition, several talks have been provided for growers How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our work so far is publishing at Michigan sugar company publication book 2023: Ali Yaghoubi and Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel. 2023. Evaluating Cyst Nematode Resistance in Sugar Beet Varieties through Greenhouse Experiments. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our research plan includes conducting greenhouse trials and extending these trials to field conditions. Once the results are obtained, we will share them with sugar beet growers and stakeholders in Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Additionally, we intend to present our findings at the Society of Nematology conference in Utah in August 2024. This will enable us to gather valuable input from nematology experts, network with other scientific professionals, and highlight the importance of effective management strategies for the sugar beet cyst nematode.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have undertaken a series of laboratory experiments aimed at assessing the impact of various composts and manures on Beet Cyst Nematodes (BCN). Our findings indicate that poultry manure, swine manure, layer ash blends, and layer manure significantly reduce egg hatching rates of BCN. Furthermore, greenhouse trials were conducted to assess the resistance of different sugar beet cultivars to BCN, along with evaluating the host status of various cover crops and rotational crops. Currently, our collaborative teams are diligently processing and analyzing the collected samples, with results anticipated to be available before June 2023. To disseminate our research findings, we are actively engaging in knowledge-sharing initiatives. This includes delivering talks, organizing webinars, and preparing news articles to communicate our discoveries effectively. Additionally, we have taken steps to publish an extension article featuring our results through the Michigan Sugar Company. By employing diverse communication channels, we aim to ensure that our research contributes meaningfully to the broader agricultural community and aids in the development of effective strategies for managing BCN.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Ali Yaghoubi and Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel. 2023. Evaluating Cyst Nematode Resistance in Sugar Beet Varieties through Greenhouse Experiments. Michigan Sugar Company, 2024. Extension article
|