Project Number: 1275-21220-211-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 26, 2003
End Date: Apr 30, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this research is to determine if sequence diversities in various morphologically, physiologically and pathologically related genes will be useful to support phylogenetic relationships of Stagonospora pathogens in cereal crops. Application of molecular approaches will facilitate the development a reliable method for identifying fungal pathogens in the Septoria/Stagonospora complex in cereals. An accurate detection and identification of fungal pathogen may lead to more profitable disease control with less usage of fungicide sprays and less impact on the environment.

Approach:
Sequences of internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear rDNA, mitochondrial small subunit rDNA, the conserved region of mating type genes, and genes encoding chitin synthase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,ß-glucosidase (avenacinase), hydrophobin (SP1) and xylanase proteins will be used to develop a multi-locus phylogeny within the Stagonospora. Sequence conservation and variability among these genes may be reliable indicators of species evolution in cereal Stagonospora pathogens. PCR amplification, DNA hybridization and gene cloning will be used to isolate the DNA fragments for sequence comparison. BL-1; approved 6/3/2003.

Project Team

Ueng, Peter

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003