Response of the edamame edible soybean germplasm to Diaporthe phaseolorum, causal agent of soybean stem canker, in Argentina

The objective was to evaluate the reaction of introduced edamame edible soybean germplasm against Soybean stem canker (SSC), caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meridionalis (Dpm) and D. phaseolorum var. caulivora (Dpc) in the humid Pampa of Argentina. Thirty edamame genotypes were evaluated in greenhouse conditions using an experimental design in blocks with two replications, over two years. Edamame germplasm showed a different degree of resistance to five Diaporthe phaseolorum isolates. The existence of inter- and intra-varietal differences in Dpm and Dpc virulence were also found, verifying that genes conferring resistance to Dpm and Dpc are different. This study showed that genetic variability does exist in edamame germplasm and would be useful in breeding for resistance or tolerance.