Identification of New Isolates of Phytophthora sojae and the Reactions of Korean Soybean Cultivars Following Hypocotyl Inoculation

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR) caused by Phytophthora sojae is one of the most destructive diseases of soybean. PRSR recently became an issue as soybean cultivation in paddy fields increased in South Korea. The management of PRSR mainly involves R-gene–mediated resistance, however, little is known about the resistance in Korean cultivars. Major Korean soybean cultivars were investigated for the presence or absence of R-gene–mediated resistance to four P. sojae isolates, two of which were new isolates. Isolate-specific reactions were observed following P. sojae inoculation. Of 21 cultivars, 15–20 cultivars (71.4–95.2%) showed susceptible reaction for each isolate. Ten cultivars were susceptible to all the isolates, and six cultivars were identified to have R-gene–mediated resistance to one or two isolates. The results of this study would provide a framework for the discovery of resistant cultivars, development of new cultivars resistant to P. sojae, and investigation of pathogenic diversity of P. sojae population in South Korea.