Project Number: 6602-21220-010-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 18, 2001
End Date: Jul 31, 2005

Objective:
Identify sources of resistance to insects/aflatoxin in corn/sorghum and transfer resistance to acceptable plant types. Develop germplasm with antibiosis/nonpreference resistance to insects. Determine genetics of resistance in different corn lines using conventional/molecular techniques. Transfer resistance to the corn earworm from field corn to sweet corn using conventional/marker-assisted breeding techniques.

Approach:
Conventional/molecular techniques will be used to study the genetics of resistance to insect pests/aflatoxin. Crosses between the corn lines with high and low levels of resistance will be made and segregating generations will be used to determine if resistance is inherited simply or quantitatively. RFLP analyses will determine location of genes for resistance to the corn earworm and used for marker-assisted selection to transfer resistance. RFLP markers will also be used to determine the number of differing genes in germplasm lines with resistance to the corn earworm/aflatoxin. A CRADA has been established to transfer resistance to the corn earworm to elite sweet corn inbreds. Conventional backcrossing procedures, marker-assisted selection, maysin analyses, and bioassays with the corn earworm will be used to follow the transfer of the resistance to sweet corn. Chemicals associated with resistance will be isolated, identified, and assayed for activity.

Project Team

Krakowsky, Matthew Ni, Xinzhi

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

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