Award details

14 ERA-CAPS An Effector- and Genomics-Assisted Pipeline for Necrotrophic Pathogen Resistance Breeding in Wheat

Reference	BB/N00518X/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr James Cockram
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Ian Mackay
Institution	National Inst of Agricultural Botany
Department	Genetics and Breeding
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	642,829
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/11/2015
End date	30/04/2019
Duration	42 months

Abstract

The project partners form a multidisciplinary team focusing on the economically important wheat leaf spot group (LSG) of necrotrophic pathogens: Parastagonospora nodorum (Pn, cause of Septoria nodorum blotch; SNB), Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt, Septoria tritici blotch; STB) and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr, tan spot; TS). High-resolution wheat genetic mapping populations (available at NIAB and LFL) and high-density genotyping will be combined with effector-based tools, pathogen re-sequencing approaches (CCDM), and expertise in pathogen diagnostics, virulence assessment (LFL, AARHUS, FERA), and field pathotesting across all partner countries (NMBU, NIAB, AARHUS, LFL). These combine to deliver a genomics- and effector-based pipeline for the genetic dissection of LSG host-pathogen interactions in Europe. The unique positions of partners at the interface between crop research and translation ensure effective dissemination of project outputs to European agri-industry. This approach has been successfully implemented by CCDM for SNB and TS in Australia, where it is forecasted to reduce losses by ~EUR100m per annum by 2020. This project will extend the approach to Europe. Specifically, it will: (1) Establish relative impact of LSG pathogens in target EU countries using molecular approaches. (2) Identify new TS and SNB effectors. (3) Determine the effector profile of Pn and Ptr isolates and the sensitivity of cultivars to effectors. (4) Screen TS, SNB and STB effectors against high-resolution wheat germplasm resources. (5) Resolve multiple LSG effector and field resistance QTLs at high-resolution. (6) Establish prevention and management strategies against multiple LSG pathogens. (7) Deliver tools (effectors and markers) for LSG resistance breeding to EU breeders and researchers.

Summary

EfectaWheat is a partnership of six complementary institutes from the UK (NIAB, FERA), Germany (LFL), Denmark (AARHUS), Norway (NMBU) and Australia (CCDM). The partners form a multidisciplinary team focusing on the economically important wheat leaf spot group (LSG) of necrotrophic pathogens: Parastagonospora nodorum (Pn, cause of Septoria nodorum blotch; SNB), Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt, Septoria tritici blotch; STB) and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr, tan spot; TS). Recently available resources in wheat, including high-resolution genetic mapping populations and high-density genotyping, will be combined with emerging tools and approaches in the pathogens, such as pathogen genome resequencing, and identification of pathogen-produced molecules that mediate infection (termed, 'effectors). These approaches will complement the project partners' expertise in pathogen diagnostics, virulence assessment and field pathotesting across all partner countries. These combine to deliver a genomics- and effector-based pipeline for the genetic dissection of LSG host-pathogen interactions in Europe. The unique positions of partners at the interface between crop research and translation ensure effective dissemination of project outputs to European agri-industry. This approach has been successfully implemented by CCDM for SNB and TS in Australia. This project will extend the approach to Europe. All resources generated will be made available to the research and industrial communities to facilitate practical exploitation.

Impact Summary

please refer to uploaded full ERA-CAPS proposal pdf document

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbiology, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	ERA-NET on Coordinating Action in Plant Sciences (ERA-CAPS) [2013-2014]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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