Project Number: 5442-21000-029-02
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Aug 01, 2001
End Date: Jul 31, 2006

Objective:
The overall objective is to improve durum wheat germplasm by introducing genes for scab resistance from wild grasses and by incorporationg antifungal genes by microprojection. Detection of alien chromatin integrated in to a specific chromosome(s) is useful in germplasm enhancement research. Specific durum chromosomes will be identified by using a labeled fl-GISH (fluorescent genomic in situ hybridization) probes generated from primers specific to a region on a chromosome.

Approach:
Hybrid derivatives obtained from durum wheat x wheatgrass crosses will be studied for their resistance to Fusarium head blight (Scab). Resistant hybrid derivatives will be studied using fl-GISH to detect alien chromatin integrated into the wheat genome. Physical visualization of a specific sequence/segment would be helpful in determining the chromosomal location of alien integration, particularly in mitotic cells. Using RAPD primers specific to a region on each of the chromosomes of the A and B genomes of durum wheat, a labeled FISH probe for that region will be generated. The FISH probes derived from the wheatgrass parent will help to detect alien integration on a specific chromosome. Techniques involving TRAP (Target Region Amplification Polymorphism) markers, RAPDs and fl-GISH will be used to correlate the level of resistance to alien chromatin segment integrations or alien chromosomes conferring resistance. This approach utilizes tools of direct gene transfer to engineer genes directly into current commercial durum cultivars. Some of the candidate antifungal (Thaumatin like protein, Chitinase) and antitoxin (Trichothecene acetyltransferase) genes that were earlier used by others to combat FHB will be introduced into durum cv. Maier using particle bombardment. Transformants will be identified by Western and Southern blot analyses. Integrated transgenes within chromosomes will be located using fl-GISH technique. Screening data on Type II resistance will be collected for confirmed transgenic plants and will be compared to non-transformed ones.

Project Team

Jauhar, Prem Al Schneiter - Professor 701-239-1309

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

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