Project Number: 3640-22000-022-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 24, 2004
End Date: Apr 30, 2008

Objective:
To characterize host-plant interactions in head blight diseases of cereals with emphasis on pathogen development in plant tissues and defense response genes activated in diseased tissues. Improve resistance of wheat and barley to scab diseases. Determine genetic variability of the pathogens and characterize genes for pathogenicity. Develop improved disease management strategies to control scab. Characterize the events occurring during early stages of infection by Fusarium species.

Approach:
Improved plant resistance and other disease control strategies are needed to maintain adequate disease control. Specific approaches include: 1) evaluation of host response genes for use in bioengineering new types of resistance through gene profiling or assays based on transformed tissue cultures; 2) genetic assessment of infection pathways in Fusarium head blight, to learn where to target applications of fungicides, biological control agents or of defense response gene; 3) identify new sources of resistance and determine inheritance and race-specificity of resistance; 4) determine effects of scab resistant cultivars on survival of Fusarium in crop residue and improve methods to evaluate scab resistance; 5) study genetic variation on pathogen populations through the use of molecular markers; 6) to identify genes controlling pathogenicity in Fusarium.

Project Team

Kistler, H - Corby Carson, Martin Jin, Yue

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)

Related Projects

STUDIES OF INOCULUM FORMATION AND GENOMICS IN GIBBERELLA ZEAE    USE OF GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS TO STUDY PATHOGENICITY IN GIBBERELLA ZEAE    FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS OF FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM, THE WHEAT AND BARLEY SCAB FUNGUS    FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS OF FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM    FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS OF FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM