Project Number: 6435-22000-010-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jan 04, 2002
End Date: Jan 03, 2007

Objective:
The goal of this research is to increase efficiency and allow profitable and sustainable operation of the United States sugarcane industry in a competitive environment by reducing the adverse impact of disease. The objectives or the next five years are to 1) identify and develop germplasm with resistance to the major diseases affecting sugarcane; 2) identify molecular markers that are linked to genes for disease resistance; 3) determine the effects of evolving agronomic practices on the epidemiology of sugarcane diseases and insect vectors; and 4) identify the genetic variability among pathogens populations and determine the distribution of races, strains, or other biotypes.

Approach:
To identify and develop germplasm with resistance to the major diseases affecting sugarcane in the United States, highly domesticated and wild clones of sugarcane and near relatives will be evaluated for resistance to the major sugarcane diseases following either natural infection or artificial inoculation. To identify molecular markers that are linked to genes for disease resistance, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods such as RAPD, AFLP or SSR will be used to identify genetic markers closely linked to the resistance genes. Priority will be given to finding markers for ratoon stunting disease (RSD)and mosaic. Field studies will be conducted to determine the effects of evolving agronomic practices on the epidemiology of sugarcane diseases and insect vectors. Genotypic and phenotypic expressions of variability within populations of pathogens and insect vectors will be used to identify the genetic variability among pathogens populations and determine the distribution of races, strains, or other biotypes.

Project Team

Grisham, Michael Pan, Yong-Bao Richard, Edward

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002