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Functional evaluation of plant defence signalling against Fusarium ear blight disease in Arabidopsis

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004657
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Kim Hammond-Kosack
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	239,689
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/09/2004
End date	19/03/2008
Duration	43 months

Abstract

Fusarium ear blight is an important fungal disease of cereals which is difficult to control. The objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive understanding of (1) the plant defence signalling networks operating in floral tissue to confer resistance against the fungal pathogens F. graminearum and F. culmorum and (2) the plant signals and pathways that induce and regulate in planta trichothecene mycotoxin production. The project involves functional genomic evaluation of infection phenotypes in Arabidopsis, forward genetic selections and screens of EMS mutagenised Arabidopsis in combination with PCR TILLING to identify novel mutations important to plant defence, disease susceptibility, tolerance to DON mycotoxins and/or DON non-inducers.The functionally important gene(s) controlling these aspects of the interaction biology may be unique or overlapping. Three specific hypotheses will be tested: Hypothesis 1: Plant defence in floral/upper stem tissue against the ear blight pathogens F. graminearum and F. culmorum (Fg/Fc) is controlled by one of the already known defence signalling pathways. Hypothesis 2: Specific plant signals perceived by the Fg/Fc hyphae upon tissue invasion activate fungal mycotoxin production. Hypothesis 3: Some plant defence signalling pathways against Fg/Fc are conserved between dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plant species.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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