Project Number: 1907-22000-015-03
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Aug 01, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
To identify genetically controlled factors that determine whether an aphid is competent to transmit barely yellow dwarf viruses. Specifically we will: 1)Characterize the inheritance of the trait "virus transmission" in F2 populations; 2)Identify the barriers to BYDV transmission in nonvector S. graminum genotypes; 3) Identify virus-binding proteins in aphid genotypes whose presence is specifically linked to an ability to transmit BYDV-RPV, BYDV-PAV and/or BYDV-SGV.

Approach:
We plan to use a combination of molecular, biochemical, and ultra-structural methods to first analyze differences in the hemolymph, and hindgut and accessory salivary gland tissues of aphid genotypes that differ in virus transmission. Tissue specific analyses will follow to identify aphid proteins able to bind virus in vector competent aphid genotypes. The F1 populations in hand and F2 populations to be generated will be used to study the inheritance of virus transmission and to provide new aphid genotypes necessary to link virus transmission to biochemical and genetic mechanisms. Since the circulative pathway of most insect vectored viruses is similar, our findings should be applicable to other virus-vector systems.

Project Team

Gray, Stewart

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)