Project Number: 5348-21000-014-01
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Sep 25, 2003
End Date: Jun 30, 2008

Objective:
Search for and identify resistance sources of grain legumes to white mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by screening the commercial cultivars and core germplasm collections of peas, chickpeas and lentils. Develop efficient field and greenhouse screening technique suitable for each of the grain legume crops. Determine the genetic nature of the identified resistance by using traditional and modern genetic techniques including hybridization and progeny analysis, gene cloning and disruption. Investigate genetic variability of the pathogen. Formulate an approach to incorporate the resistance into future cultivars of peas, chickpea and lentils for efficient management of white mold in grain legume production. Publish findings in international journals.

Approach:
Compare various techniques for inoculum production and inoculation onto peas, chickpea and lentils. Select the best technique to screen the commercial cultivars and core germplasm collections of the grain legumes. Evaluate plant growth habit in relation to white mold resistance. Use traditional genetic techniques such as hybridization to determine the inheritance pattern of the identified resistance. Employ modern genetic techniques to locate resistance genes in grain legumes, and to isolate and disrupt the pathogenicity gene in the pathogen. Utilize vegetative compatibility grouping technique and DNA fingerprinting to determine genetic variability of S. clerotiorum. Document the SCA with the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, Pullman. Formerly 5348-21000-007-02S (August 2003).

Project Team

Chen, Weidong Muehlbauer, Frederick Dennis Johnson - Professor 509-335-9178

Related National Programs

Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)   Plant Diseases (303)