Understanding the spatial-temporal dynamics of a root rot disease: a bird’s-eye view to molecular techniques
C. YOUNG (1) (1) The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, U.S.A.

Phymatotrichopsis omnivora is a devastating fungal pathogen that causes severe root rot disease on many dicotyledonous plants. The pathogen is endemic to southwestern USA and Mexico and prevalent in calcareous soils. Crops such as cotton and alfalfa are highly susceptible and endure significant crop losses throughout the growing season. To understand the spatial-temporal dynamics of the disease, we are monitoring disease progression in an alfalfa production field utilizing multiple techniques. Aerial imagery though manned and unmanned aircrafts provides a birds eye view of pathogen spread, whereas molecular techniques allow for direct observations of the pathogen and associated microbes in the field. During a single growing season (June to October) the disease front can spread up to 3 m. A sampling strategy was employed to follow the pathogen from the surviving plants remaining in the diseased foci, through the disease front into the unaffected area. The pathogen can be readily detected in the roots and soil by PCR using species-specific primers, whereas SSR markers provide information on pathogen diversity represented at different disease foci. Plant-microbial communities associated with different spatial and temporal samples will also be evaluated. Combining multiple technologies will provide insight into the P. omnivora-alfalfa disease complex for integration with decision-making tools associated with precision agriculture utilized to reduce the severity of this pathogen.

Abstract Number: C19-2
Session Type: Concurrent