Pamela Rzodkiewicz, M.S.

She/her

Education: Bachelor of Science in microbiology (May 2007)

Master of Science in agronomy (plant breeding and genetics) from Kansas State University

McNair Project: Screening Soybean Varieties to Iron-Deficiency Chlorosis (2005)

Mentor: William Schapaugh, Ph.D.

Iron-deficiency chlorosis is a disease caused by decreased iron in the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plant. The disease occurs in Kansas where soil pH levels above 7.0 interfere with iron uptake. Chlorosis can result in reduced seed yields. Planting soybean varieties with resistance to iron chlorosis represents an effective method to reduce yield losses. This study was conducted to determine if current soybean varieties available to Kansas soybean producers provide protection against iron-deficiency chlorosis. In a greenhouse experiment, 235 soybean varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in pots filled with high pH soil. To evaluate level of resistance, chlorophyll concentrations were measured at the V2 and V3 stages of development, using a Minolta 502 Chlorophyll meter. Varieties differed in their resistance to iron chlorosis. Out of the 235 varieties tested, 20 commercial varieties possessed iron-deficiency chlorosis resistance as good as the resistant check.