Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:52:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 carvalho_fk_me_botfca.pdf: 640167 bytes, checksum: f16d9da779638ef775ffc06b08e8642c (MD5) / A ferrugem asiática atualmente é a principal doença da cultura da soja. Tem como características a rápida disseminação e difícil controle por iniciar na parte inferior da planta, onde a penetração das gotas é mais difícil. O uso de gotas finas tem sido utilizado com o intuito de melhorar a penetração e aumentar a eficiência dos produtos fitossanitários. Em contrapartida, gotas finas são mais sujeitas a perdas por deriva. As novas tecnologias de aplicação além de proporcionarem o controle da doença devem causar o menor impacto ambiental possível. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da adição de adjuvantes na deposição de gotas e deriva, em aplicações aéreas e terrestres. O experimento foi composto por 6 tratamentos, sendo utilizadas três caldas de pulverização incluindo o fungicida Priori Xtra (suspensão concentrada contendo azoxistrobina 200 g L-1 + ciproconazol 80 g L-1) em mistura com os adjuvantes Nimbus (concentrado emulsionável contendo hidrocarbonetos alifáticos, 428 g L-1) e TA-35 (concentrado solúvel contendo lauril éter sulfato de sódio, tensoativos, sequestrantes e emulsificantes), aplicadas por vias aérea e terrestre. Nas aplicações terrestres utilizou-se o volume de calda de 50 L ha-1 e pontas TXA 8002 VS, e nas aplicações aéreas 15 L ha-1, empregando-se atomizador Turboaero, ambos aplicando gotas finas. O estudo foi feito através da coleta em alvos artificiais (lâminas de vidro) e em alvos naturais (folhas de soja), utilizando-se o corante Azul Brilhante (FD&C no 1) como marcador. A extração do corante foi feita por agitação, utilizando-se água destilada. A quantificação do corante para cálculo da deposição foi feita por espectrofotometria, utilizando as caldas extraídas das amostras. A deriva foi estimada através do balanço de massas. Um estudo para... / Actually Soybean Asian rust is the most important disease of soybean culture. This disease disseminates quickly and starts by the lowest third of the plants, showing difficult spray droplets penetration and disease control. The use of fine droplets has been chosen in order to improve the penetration and efficacy of the agrochemicals. However, the fine droplets are easily lost by drift. The new apply technologies must be developed to control the disease efficiently, and with the minimal environmental contamination. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of adjuvants on droplets deposition and spray drift on aerial and ground applications. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments, being used 3 spray solutions, composed by the fungicide Priori Xtra (concentrated suspension of azoxystrobin 200 g L-1 + cyproconazole 80 g L-1) mixed with the adjuvants Nimbus (emulsifiable concentrate containing aliphatic hydrocarbons 428 g L-1) and TA-35 (soluble concentrate containing sodium lauryl ether sulfate, surfactants, sequestering agents and emulsifiers), in aerial and ground applications. On the ground applications was used 50 L ha-1, TXA 8004 VS nozzles and on aerial applications was used... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Ulisses Rocha Antuniassi / Banca: Paulo Roberto Arbex Silva / Banca: Marco Antonio Gandolfo / Resumo: A ferrugem asiática atualmente é a principal doença da cultura da soja. Tem como características a rápida disseminação e difícil controle por iniciar na parte inferior da planta, onde a penetração das gotas é mais difícil. O uso de gotas finas tem sido utilizado com o intuito de melhorar a penetração e aumentar a eficiência dos produtos fitossanitários. Em contrapartida, gotas finas são mais sujeitas a perdas por deriva. As novas tecnologias de aplicação além de proporcionarem o controle da doença devem causar o menor impacto ambiental possível. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da adição de adjuvantes na deposição de gotas e deriva, em aplicações aéreas e terrestres. O experimento foi composto por 6 tratamentos, sendo utilizadas três caldas de pulverização incluindo o fungicida Priori Xtra (suspensão concentrada contendo azoxistrobina 200 g L-1 + ciproconazol 80 g L-1) em mistura com os adjuvantes Nimbus (concentrado emulsionável contendo hidrocarbonetos alifáticos, 428 g L-1) e TA-35 (concentrado solúvel contendo lauril éter sulfato de sódio, tensoativos, sequestrantes e emulsificantes), aplicadas por vias aérea e terrestre. Nas aplicações terrestres utilizou-se o volume de calda de 50 L ha-1 e pontas TXA 8002 VS, e nas aplicações aéreas 15 L ha-1, empregando-se atomizador Turboaero, ambos aplicando gotas finas. O estudo foi feito através da coleta em alvos artificiais (lâminas de vidro) e em alvos naturais (folhas de soja), utilizando-se o corante Azul Brilhante (FD&C no 1) como marcador. A extração do corante foi feita por agitação, utilizando-se água destilada. A quantificação do corante para cálculo da deposição foi feita por espectrofotometria, utilizando as caldas extraídas das amostras. A deriva foi estimada através do balanço de massas. Um estudo para... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Actually Soybean Asian rust is the most important disease of soybean culture. This disease disseminates quickly and starts by the lowest third of the plants, showing difficult spray droplets penetration and disease control. The use of fine droplets has been chosen in order to improve the penetration and efficacy of the agrochemicals. However, the fine droplets are easily lost by drift. The new apply technologies must be developed to control the disease efficiently, and with the minimal environmental contamination. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of adjuvants on droplets deposition and spray drift on aerial and ground applications. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments, being used 3 spray solutions, composed by the fungicide Priori Xtra (concentrated suspension of azoxystrobin 200 g L-1 + cyproconazole 80 g L-1) mixed with the adjuvants Nimbus (emulsifiable concentrate containing aliphatic hydrocarbons 428 g L-1) and TA-35 (soluble concentrate containing sodium lauryl ether sulfate, surfactants, sequestering agents and emulsifiers), in aerial and ground applications. On the ground applications was used 50 L ha-1, TXA 8004 VS nozzles and on aerial applications was used... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Luis Lonardoni Foloni / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T08:33:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_CelsoLuizda_D.pdf: 3484885 bytes, checksum: b67a930df8821384f225122b143d73ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A utilização de pesticidas na agricultura é prática usual no controle de pragas, doenças ou plantas daninhas para que se consiga obter altos índices de produtividade e desta maneira atender à demanda mundial crescente de alimentos. Os pesticidas quando aplicados em condições brasileiras, podem apresentar algumas propriedades que possam prejudicar determinados compartimentos ambientais. Uma ferramenta importante para avaliar o destino ambiental destes produtos aplicados na agricultura é a utilização de modelos matemáticos nos quais permitem prever para qual ou quais compartimentos ambientais a molécula do fungicida tende a caminhar. Este trabalho teve por objetivos: (a) avaliar o efeito do tetraconazole no controle da ferrugem nos dois sistemas de semeadura; (b) avaliar o comportamento ambiental do tetraconazole, aplicando o conceito matemático de fugacidade nível I e II; (c) avaliar o destino ambiental do tetraconazole através das análises químicas de resíduo e (d) avaliar a acuracidade do modelo de fugacidade gerado com os de resíduo (analítico/laboratorial) obtidos. O método analítico consistiu na extração dos resíduos de tetraconazole com acetato de etila em presença de Na2SO4 e a determinação quantitativa foi realizada por técnica de cromtografia em fase gasosa, utilizando-se do cromatógrafo equipado com detector seletivo de massas (GC/MS). Os modelos de previsões nível I e II apresentaram resultados semelhantes à análise cromatográfica, onde indicaram que os compartimentos com maior afinidade ao tetraconazole foram o solo e a planta (folhas, caules, raízes e grãos em enchimento) para os sistemas de semeadura convencional e direta e a palha para o sistema de semeadura direta. Nos grãos de soja após a colheita, não foram detectados nenhum resíduo do tetraconazole após a terceira aplicação nos dois sistemas de semeadura. Os dados de previsão ambiental do tetraconazole através de modelos matemáticos, em específico o de fugacidade comprovaram-se como uma excelente ferramenta para a predição em quais compartimentos este fungicida estaria presente de forma simples e rápida, corroborados pelos dados analíticos de resíduos laboratoriais, estes por sua vez dispendiosos e demorados / Abstract: The pesticide utilization in agriculture is a common practice to control pests, diseases or weeds to obtain high levels of productivity and this way supply the increasing worldwide demand for food. Pesticides when used in brazilians conditions may show some proprieties that could cause damage in certain environmental compartments. A important tool to evaluate the final environmental destination of these products are mathematical models, which allow predicting which of the environmental compartments the pesticide molecule tends to go. This work aimed to: (a) evaluate the effect of the tetraconazole in the control of Asian rust on both sowing system; (b) evaluate the environmental behavior destiny of the tetraconazole, applying the mathematical concept of fugacity level I and II; (c) evaluate the environmental destiny of the tetraconazole through residual chemistry analysis and (d) evaluate the accuracy of the generated fugacity model results with the residuals results (analytic/laboratory) obtained. The analytic method consisted in the tetraconazole residual extraction with ethyl acetate and Na2SO4, and gas chromatography with a selective mass detector (GC/MS) was used for quantitative determination. The predictions models level I and II showed similar results to the chromatographic analysis, which indicated that the compartments with higher affinity to tetraconazole were the soil and plant (leaves, stem, roots and grain filling) for conventional and direct sowing system, and the straw for direct sowing system. After harvested weren't detected any trace of tetraconazole in the soybeans after the third application in both sowing system. The environmental forecast data of the tetraconazole through mathematical models, in specially the fugacity model, proved themselves as an excellent tool to predict which compartments this fungicide would be in, in a simple and fast way, corroborated with the laboratory analysis residual data, which are expensive and time-consuming / Doutorado / Agua e Solo / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

Orientador: Luis Vitor Silva do Sacramento / Banca: João Domingos Rodrigues / Banca: Celso Dornellas Fernandes / Resumo: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf é uma gramínea perene, de grande importância para a indústria farmacêutica e alimentícia, fornecedora de óleo essencial. Um problema limitante para a produção comercial é a ferrugem, causada pelo patógeno Puccinia nakanishikii Dietel. O trabalho objetivou estudar a interação patógeno-hospedeiro e availar princípios ativos naturais no controle da doença. Para os estudos anatômicos foram elaborados cortes, objetivando analisar as estruturas lesionadas e o desenvolvimento do patógeno. Foram avaliadas as trocas gasosas nas diferentes severidades da doença. Realizaram-se testes in vitro, com diferentes agentes de controle sobre a germinação de esporos do patógeno, sendo estes: óleos essenciais de eucalipto, palma-rosa, cravo-da-índia, menta, limão, citronela e mil-folhas; extrato pirolenhoso de eucalipto e mentol cristalizado. A partir destes testes foram escolhidos quatro agentes para os testes em campo, óleo de citronela e de eucalipto, extrato pirolenhoso e mentol. A área foi preparada a partir de mudas, sendo manejadas até os seis meses. Quando todas as plantas apresentavam sintomas, iniciaram-se os tratamentos com aplicações semanais. Foi avaliada ainda a doença após um corte. Os sintomas iniciais manifestam-se como manchas amareladas evoluindo para a formação de pústulas bronzeadas alongadas. Quanto à avaliação anatômica, após a infecção houve o desenvolvimento das estruturas fúngicas, prosseguindo com o rompimento da cutícula, possibilitando a observação das estruturas do patógeno de forma clara sobre as células da epiderme. Nas regiões lignificadas dos feixes vasculares não há desenvolvimento dessas estruturas. Com o aumento da severidade da doença observou-se a redução da assimilação de gás carbônico. A concentração interna de gás carbônico foi maior em severidades mais altas. Tal fato relaciona-se... (Resumo completo clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf is a perennial grass, that has a large importance to the pharmaceutical and food industry, supplier of essential oil. One limiting problem to the commercial production is the rust caused by pathogen Puccinia nakanishikii Dietel. This work aimed to investigate the pathogen-host interactions and contribute to the researches with alternative methods of disease control. For anatomical studies were prepared anatomical sections, with the objective to analyze the structures injured and the development of the pathogen with different corants. On cultivated plants were evaluated gas exchange in different severity levels. In vitro tests were performed with different control agents, to the germination of pathogen spores, which are: essential oil of eucalyptus, palmarosa, clove, peppermint, lemon, citronella and yarrow; pyroligneous extract of eucalyptus and crystallized menthol. From these tests four products were chosen for the tests in a camp experiment, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, pyroligneous extract and menthol. The area was prepared from seedlings, which were managed by six months age. When all plants had symptoms the treatments begin, with weekly applications. One avaliation happened after the cut of the lemongrass. The initial symptoms manifest as yellow spots progressing to formation of elongated pustules. These symptoms beginning with the development of fungal structures, after occurred the disruption of the cuticle, so the structures of the pathogen may be clearly observed on epidermis parenchyma cells of the leaf abaxial surface, however, in regions of vascular bundles, no development of such structures, these regions that have lignified structures. With the increase of the disease severity was a significant reduction in the assimilation of carbonic gas. The internal concentration of carbon dioxide was major... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Doctor of Philosophy / Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyses undesirable darkening in wheat products such as Asian noodles. Genetic variation for PPO activity is characterized in bread wheat. Australian wheat breeding programmes recognize that reduced PPO activity is an important quality target. Despite this interest from breeders, no varieties possessing extremely low and null PPO activity exist. The development of null PPO wheat varieties is dependant on an understanding of the genetic control of the null phenotype. Knowledge of these factors will accelerate efforts to develop them. The inheritance of PPO activity was investigated in two populations that were derived from hybrids between a null PPO genotype and Australian wheat varieties Lang and QAlBis. Observed genetic ratios were consistent with two and three gene control, respectively in these populations. QTL mapping was performed in the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. The Diversity Array Technology (DArT) approach was employed to genotype the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. Three highly significant QTLs that control PPO activity were identified on chromosomes 2AL, 2BS and 2DL. Close associations between PPO activity and DArT marker loci wPt-7024, wPt-0094 and wPt-2544 were observed, respectively. Collectively, these loci explained 74% of the observed variation in PPO activity across seasons. Significant QTLs on chromosomes 1B and 3B were also identified that together explained an additional 17% of variation in PPO activity. The relationship between PPO activity and yellow alkaline noodles (YAN) colour stability parameters was investigated in a DM5637*B8 x H45 doubled haploid population. PPO activity and changes in YAN brightness (ΔL* 0-24h) and yellowness (Δb* 0-24h) in both seasons were analysed. Quantitative trait analyses of PPO activity, flour yellowness (b*) and YAN colour stability was also conducted in this population. QTL mapping of variation in PPO activity in the DM5637*B8 x H45 DH population identified a highly significant QTL on chromosome 2AL, which explained 52% of the observed variation across seasons. Regression analysis identified that wPt-7024 was highly significantly associated with PPO activity in this population. A highly significant association between this marker and PPO was also identified in the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. Collectively, the three identified QTLs (on chromosomes 2AL, 7A and 7B) explained 71% of variation in PPO activity across seasons. A highly significant (P<0.001) QTL on chromosome 2B along with significant (P<0.01) QTLs on the chromosomes 1A, 3B, 4B and 5B were found to control flour yellowness. The QTLs on 2B, 4B and 5B were detected in both seasons analysed and accounted for 90% of variation in flour b* across seasons. The study on YAN colour stability located two highly significant (P<0.001) QTLs and two significant (P<0.01) QTLs that controlled the change in brightness of yellow alkaline noodle. The 2A QTL accounted for 64% of observed variation across seasons. It was in the same location as the PPO QTL and shared a common closest marker wPt-7024. Only one significant QTL for YAN a* (0-24h) was identified. It accounted for 12% of variation across seasons and was only detected in one season. One highly significant (P<0.001) QTL and two significant (P<0.01) QTLs were identified that controlled the change in yellowness of yellow alkaline noodle. The 2A QTL accounted for 68% of observed variation across seasons. The location of this QTL corresponded with that of 2A QTLs for PPO activity and L* of YAN in this study. Furthermore, wPt-7024 was also identified as the marker with the most significant association with L*. The identification of a correlation between the characters and a common location of a highly significant QTL for each of these characters indicates that it is likely that PPO activity is directly responsible for a large proportion of the changes in brightness and yellowness of YAN. QTLs for L* and b* of YAN were detected in a common location on chromosome 1A. However, no corresponding QTL was identified that controls PPO activity, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between these traits. Resistance to three rust pathogens (Puccinia graminis, Puccinia striiformis, and Puccinia triticina) was also investigated in the DM5637*B8 x H45 DH population because they are major yield limiting diseases in wheat. Disease response data at the seedling stage were converted to genotypic scores for rust genes Sr24/Lr24, Sr36, Lr13 and Yr7 to construct a genetic linkage map. No recombination was observed between rust resistance genes Sr36, Lr13 and Yr7 in this DH population. Therefore, these genes mapped in the same position on chromosome 2B. The Lr24/Sr24 locus was incorporated into the chromosome 3D map. Interval mapping analysis identified QTLs on chromosomes 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B that control adult plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust. Two QTLs on chromosomes 2B and 3D were identified that controlled APR to leaf rust in this DH population.

Soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. is an aggressive wind dispersed fungal disease which has spread around the world at an alarming rate in the last decade. The disease was first reported in South Africa (SA) in 2001. It has become well established in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Reports are occasionally made from eastern Mpumalanga, late in the growing season, in years with good rainfall. Yield losses of 10 - 80% have been reported due to SBR infection. Literature was reviewed to better understand the pathogen in an attempt to find suitable disease management strategies. Many strategies involve delaying, rather than preventing, SBR infection. Of the two strategies to prevent infection, the use of fungicides was the only option for disease control in SA, as no resistant cultivars are available. Field trials were conducted to determine which fungicides are effective in controlling SBR. Further research was conducted to determine the timing, frequency and rate of fungicide applications for optimal control of SBR. Trials were evaluated for disease severity, seed yield and the effect of fungicides on seed quality. Fungicides from the triazole class of the sterol biosynthesis inhibiting group of fungicides were found to be the most effective in controlling SBR. A fungicide from the strobilurin group was found to be less effective than the triazoles at the suggested rate, but was found to be as effective when evaluated at higher dosage rates. Triazoles premixed with fungicides from the benzimidazole and strobilurin groups were also effective in controlling SBR. Timing of application was found to be critical for strobilurin fungicides, but not for triazole fungicides, which have a curative ability, unlike strobilurins. Strobilurin fungicides applied preventatively, before the appearance of disease symptoms were as effective as triazole fungicides applied after disease symptoms, but before infection levels had reached 10%. Across both wet and dry seasons two fungicide applications applied at 21d intervals at the R2 growth stage resulted in effective disease control. In wet seasons, a third fungicide application resulted in yields that were higher, albeit not statistically significant, than two fungicide applications. Assessments of individual fungicides for optimal dosage rate found that registered rates were already optimal for some fungicides, but for others it appeared as if alterations were necessary to the rate suggested for registration. This study was one of the first to extensively evaluate the efficacy of the new triazole and strobilurin fungicides on SBR control. The results have been shared globally, but particularly with newly affected countries in South and North America. Although this research has been groundbreaking, there are still many aspects of fungicide control which need to be studied in order to further optimise chemical control of SBR. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005

Doctor of Philosophy / Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyses undesirable darkening in wheat products such as Asian noodles. Genetic variation for PPO activity is characterized in bread wheat. Australian wheat breeding programmes recognize that reduced PPO activity is an important quality target. Despite this interest from breeders, no varieties possessing extremely low and null PPO activity exist. The development of null PPO wheat varieties is dependant on an understanding of the genetic control of the null phenotype. Knowledge of these factors will accelerate efforts to develop them. The inheritance of PPO activity was investigated in two populations that were derived from hybrids between a null PPO genotype and Australian wheat varieties Lang and QAlBis. Observed genetic ratios were consistent with two and three gene control, respectively in these populations. QTL mapping was performed in the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. The Diversity Array Technology (DArT) approach was employed to genotype the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. Three highly significant QTLs that control PPO activity were identified on chromosomes 2AL, 2BS and 2DL. Close associations between PPO activity and DArT marker loci wPt-7024, wPt-0094 and wPt-2544 were observed, respectively. Collectively, these loci explained 74% of the observed variation in PPO activity across seasons. Significant QTLs on chromosomes 1B and 3B were also identified that together explained an additional 17% of variation in PPO activity. The relationship between PPO activity and yellow alkaline noodles (YAN) colour stability parameters was investigated in a DM5637*B8 x H45 doubled haploid population. PPO activity and changes in YAN brightness (ΔL* 0-24h) and yellowness (Δb* 0-24h) in both seasons were analysed. Quantitative trait analyses of PPO activity, flour yellowness (b*) and YAN colour stability was also conducted in this population. QTL mapping of variation in PPO activity in the DM5637*B8 x H45 DH population identified a highly significant QTL on chromosome 2AL, which explained 52% of the observed variation across seasons. Regression analysis identified that wPt-7024 was highly significantly associated with PPO activity in this population. A highly significant association between this marker and PPO was also identified in the QALBis x VAW08-A17 population. Collectively, the three identified QTLs (on chromosomes 2AL, 7A and 7B) explained 71% of variation in PPO activity across seasons. A highly significant (P<0.001) QTL on chromosome 2B along with significant (P<0.01) QTLs on the chromosomes 1A, 3B, 4B and 5B were found to control flour yellowness. The QTLs on 2B, 4B and 5B were detected in both seasons analysed and accounted for 90% of variation in flour b* across seasons. The study on YAN colour stability located two highly significant (P<0.001) QTLs and two significant (P<0.01) QTLs that controlled the change in brightness of yellow alkaline noodle. The 2A QTL accounted for 64% of observed variation across seasons. It was in the same location as the PPO QTL and shared a common closest marker wPt-7024. Only one significant QTL for YAN a* (0-24h) was identified. It accounted for 12% of variation across seasons and was only detected in one season. One highly significant (P<0.001) QTL and two significant (P<0.01) QTLs were identified that controlled the change in yellowness of yellow alkaline noodle. The 2A QTL accounted for 68% of observed variation across seasons. The location of this QTL corresponded with that of 2A QTLs for PPO activity and L* of YAN in this study. Furthermore, wPt-7024 was also identified as the marker with the most significant association with L*. The identification of a correlation between the characters and a common location of a highly significant QTL for each of these characters indicates that it is likely that PPO activity is directly responsible for a large proportion of the changes in brightness and yellowness of YAN. QTLs for L* and b* of YAN were detected in a common location on chromosome 1A. However, no corresponding QTL was identified that controls PPO activity, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between these traits. Resistance to three rust pathogens (Puccinia graminis, Puccinia striiformis, and Puccinia triticina) was also investigated in the DM5637*B8 x H45 DH population because they are major yield limiting diseases in wheat. Disease response data at the seedling stage were converted to genotypic scores for rust genes Sr24/Lr24, Sr36, Lr13 and Yr7 to construct a genetic linkage map. No recombination was observed between rust resistance genes Sr36, Lr13 and Yr7 in this DH population. Therefore, these genes mapped in the same position on chromosome 2B. The Lr24/Sr24 locus was incorporated into the chromosome 3D map. Interval mapping analysis identified QTLs on chromosomes 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B that control adult plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust. Two QTLs on chromosomes 2B and 3D were identified that controlled APR to leaf rust in this DH population.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) occupies an important position in the world economy of the feedstock of high quality protein and vegetable oils. However, its production is threatened by, Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by the rust fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd. This fungus is highly dependent on environmental conditions, has a wide range of hosts, and evolves rapidly into novel races, making it difficult to control. In addition, most commercial varieties are susceptible to rust, the rust has already developed resistance to triazole fungicides, and most small-scale farmers cannot afford expensive systemic fungicides to control the disease. The use of resistant varieties is the most viable, long-term option to manage ASR, especially in the small-holder soybean farming sector. This study was therefore designed to undertake the following goals: (i) to identify farmers’ preferred varieties and desired traits, their knowledge of ASR, and other key constraints affecting soybean production in Kenya; (ii) to evaluate soybean accessions for rust resistance, and to determine the correlation of rust resistance with other agronomic traits; (iii) to determine the mode of inheritance for ASR resistance and selected agronomic traits; and (iv) to determine yield stability of soybean advanced lines at multiple sites in Central and Eastern Kenya. To understand farmers’ preferred varietal characteristics, knowledge of ASR and other key constraints to soybean production, a survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire in the major soybean growing areas of Kenya. The farmers preferred local varieties because of their desirable characteristics, which included high yields, early maturity, drought tolerance and seed availability. Although the majority of the participating farmers expressed a willingness to grow improved varieties, financial limitations, seed unavailability and lack of information were the major barriers to their use of improved varieties. High yield, early maturity, adaptability and grain quality were the traits that most farmers sought in an ideal soybean variety. Knowledge of the cause of ASR was limited, and its occurrence was largely attributed to environmental factors, poor soil fertility conditions, poor agronomic practices, physiological maturity and specific species of weeds. Their investments in control methods were minimal due to a lack of technical knowledge, poor access to fungicides, and limited resources. Other constraints faced by soybean farmers included: lack of access to grain markets; lack of knowledge in processing and utilization of soybean grain; the unavailability of seeds; losses to pests and diseases; the lack of inputs such as fertilizers; frequent dry spells; and low yielding varieties. A total of 110 soybean accessions were evaluated for their rust reactions and correlations with selected agronomic traits. These included plant introductions possessing single rust resistant genes (Rpp1-4), tolerant lines, gene bank accessions, commercial varieties and advanced lines. Soybean genotypes varied significantly in their reactions to rust severity, sporulation, lesion type and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) values. Genotypes possessing Rpp4 (G10428) and Rpp2 (G8586) resistant genes, and non-characterized genotypes MAK BLD 11.3, GC 00138-29 and Namsoy 4M, were the most resistant accessions, as indicated by low rust severity scores, low AUDPC values, red brown lesions and low sporulation scores. Other genotypes with known resistant genes including G7955 (Rpp3), G58 and Tainung 4 (Rpp1), a few tolerant lines, and one advanced line (BRS Sambaiba) were moderately resistant. All the other advanced lines, commercial varieties, gene bank accessions and collections from the farmers’ fields were highly susceptible to rust. Rust severity was positively correlated with rust sporulation, indicating that reduction of sporulation made a significant contribution towards rust resistance. An F2 population was generated from a half diallel mating design, involving 4 resistant, 2 moderately resistant and 2 susceptible genotypes selected as parents. The F2 populations along with their parents were evaluated in two environments to determine the type of gene action for rust resistance and other quantitative traits in soybeans. The results revealed that both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant for most of the traits studied, indicating that both additive gene action and non-additive gene action played a major role in the inheritance of rust resistance and selected agronomic traits. The GCA/SCA ratio was close to unity for rust severity, rust sporulation, days to flowering, days to maturity and plant height. This indicated that additive gene action played a more significant role in the inheritance of these traits than non-additive gene action. Non-additive gene action was only predominant for soybean grain yield. Parental lines G10428, G8586 and Namsoy 4M were the best general combiners for improving rust resistance across the environments. The most promising parents for early flowering were G7955, G8586 and G58. Parent Maksoy 1N was the best general combiner for early maturity while parents Maksoy 1N, G58, G7955 and Nyala contributed effectively towards reduced plant height. Yield stability analysis was conducted for 30 genotypes in 6 environments, using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), genotype main effect and genotype x environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. Genotypes 916/5/19 and G7955 were identified as the high yielding and most stable across the environments. On the other hand, genotypes BRS MG46 and Sable were high yielding but unstable and specifically suitable for the environments EM2 and MW2, respectively (both environments have long rainy seasons). Environment EM2 was identified as the most discriminating and representative among the six environments. Environments IG1 and MW1 (short rainy seasons) were less informative on genotypes tested, as confirmed by short environment vectors. Environment EM1 was better for discriminating genotypes but was a poor representative of the test environments, hence it should only be utilized for developing specifically adapted genotypes. Further analysis using GGE biplot approach grouped the environments into three putative mega-environments in Central and Eastern Kenya. Overall, this study established the need to educate farmers on the cause of ASR, to develop ASR resistant varieties, and to incorporate farmers’ desired traits in the breeding programme, especially by the use of participatory breeding approaches. The resistant and moderately resistant genotypes identified in this study could be used as sources of resistant genes to develop ASR resistant varieties in Kenya. This study also established that genetic improvement for ASR resistance and selected agronomic traits in soybeans is possible based on the use of recurrent selection breeding procedures that result in the accumulation of additive gene effects. Selection of late segregating generations would be effective for soybean grain yield improvement. This study identified potential parents for ASR resistance and selected agronomic traits, but they require further breeding to improve on farmers’ desired traits. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd., is a real threat to soybean crops in South Africa. Its ability to spread rapidly and its potential to severely reduce yields have earned it the reputation as the most destructive foliar disease of soybeans. SBR has been reported in South Africa every year since its arrival in 2001. While extensive research had been done on the epidemiology and fungicide application requirements in South Africa, no work into the long term climatic vulnerability of soybean production areas to SBR had been done. This meant soybean producers do not know whether SBR is a threat in their areas. Through this research a SBR algorithm was developed using readily available climate data, viz. temperature and rainfall, to create a daily index specifying the climatic vulnerability of SBR infection. The algorithm was applied to a 50 year historical climate database, and a series of maps was created illustrating the long term vulnerability of different areas to SBR infection. These maps allow soybean producers to understand the climatic vulnerability of their area to SBR infection. Time series graphs were created for selected key soybean production areas to allow soybean producers to distinguish periods of high and low climatic risk during the season. This may help with decisions regarding the planting times, the maturation rate of different cultivars as well as the timing and application of fungicides. The framework for a near real time forecasting system was created outlining how the system could amalgamate recently recorded and forecasted weather data, run it through the SBR algorithm and provide a near real time, as well as forecasted vulnerability, based on the climatic conductivity for SBR infection. Anticipated limitations and difficulties on developing the forecasting system are also outlined. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (Ph.D)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.