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Download pathogenicity evaluation of fusarium spp isolates, causal agent of
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PATHOGENICITY EVALUATION OF FUSARIUM SPP ISOLATES, CAUSAL AGENT OF CROWN ROT AND HEAD BLIGHT DISEASE IN WHEAT Oadi N. Matny Home institute: University of Baghdad, College of Agriculture, Dept. of Plant Protection, Iraq. Host institute: University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Department of Plant Pathology/ USA. Email: [email protected] =========================================================== Project Background and Rationale: Necrotrophic fungal pathogens such as Fusarium cause considerable damage to wheat and other cereals such as barley all over the world. These pathogens have increased importance with the adoption of conservation farming practices such as stubble retention and minimum tillage. The development of resistant wheat cultivars is the preferred solution, but robust resistance to these pathogen types is limited and new sources of disease resistance are needed for incorporation into cultivars through breeding. However, there is a paucity of resistance sources to these pathogens and resistance is usually quantitative. In host institute, to translate knowledge about resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens from model systems to wheat, new strategies are being tested. Two of these strategies are to test whether novel resistance to fungal pathogens can be achieved by mutational inactivation of disease susceptibility genes. These are host genes whose functions are exploited by necrotrophic pathogens to cause disease. Mutational approaches are attractive as mutant wheat germplasm can be used directly in breeding programs. However, the GM technology can provide alternative on the other provides. Methodology and Project Activities In this project, molecular characterization of Fusarium spp strain isolated from different regions of Iraq and the study the genetic diversity of the isolates. large-scale disease screening of mutant wheat lines will be performed to identify new resistance sources using highly effective disease inoculation techniques in host institute. Disease evaluations will be also be conducted under controlled conditions on genetically modified wheat lines to determine whether these lines show superior disease resistant ratings than commercially available cultivars. If so, there will be opportunities for molecular characterisation of these plants for potential inclusion into scientific publications. It is expected that the promising germplasm from these above two approaches in multisite field trials and identify robust field proven germplasm for transfer to breeding programs. Outcomes The research project and the training opportunity described will provide necessary technical skills to implement high-throughput, glasshouse-based disease inoculation assays in wheat. The project will also provide the necessary theoretical background in genetics to learn how to combine different resistance sources in wheat to increase their effectiveness. The project will also provide opportunities to learn new molecular techniques that are useful in genetic characterisation of wheat lines. These may include DNA marker development, analysis of defence gene expression and DNA/RNA isolation and PCR analysis. Finally, the proposed project will provide ample opportunities for making useful contacts with scientists, including plant pathologists, from host institute. These initial interactions will provide a basis for future collaboration opportunities between host institute and Iraq in the area of wheat genetics and breeding.
