This $750,000 project grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program will fund research at the University of Tennessee focused on identifying major soybean resistance genes against soybean cyst nematode (SCN). SCN is the most yield-limiting pathogen of soybeans in the U.S., causing an estimated $1.5 billion in annual losses. The research aims to confirm the function of a novel resistance gene candidate and host susceptibility gene identified by the researchers in conferring resistance against SCN. Through transgenic and genome editing approaches, the researchers will investigate the impact of these genes on soybean resistance to various SCN races and determine any potential linkage to known SCN resistance genes. They will also determine the resistance mechanism using molecular, biochemical, genetic and genomic techniques. Results are intended to translate to resistant soybean germplasm and intellectual property that could be used by public and private seed companies to generate improved, broadly resistant soybean cultivars through traditional breeding or non-GMO genome editing. The research will be performed from March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2027.
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