Population dynamics of Phialophora gregata in stem residue of a resistant and a susceptible soybean cultivar

Previous studies on the saprophytic survival of Phialophora gregata were conducted with soybean residue derived from a susceptible cultivar and did not address genotypes of P. gregata. This current study monitored the saprophytic population density of P. gregata in stem residue derived from a susceptible and a resistant soybean cultivar placed in the field. A second phase of the study followed the frequencies of genotypes A and B of P. gregata in stem residue derived from a susceptible cultivar. The population density of P. gregata declined 10-fold in stem residue from the initiation of sampling to the end of this 16-month study, regardless of cultivar or whether residue was positioned on the soil surface or buried. The population density of P. gregata was greater in buried residue of the resistant cultivar compared with the susceptible cultivar after 12 to 14 months, but equalized after 16 months. The population density of P. gregata was similar in residue derived from the susceptible and resistant cultivars if positioned on the soil surface. Genotype B was detected more frequently than genotype A of P. gregata at each sampling date regardless of residue placement.