Award details

Epidemiology, pathogen variation and durable host resistance

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004693
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Bruce Fitt
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	246,726
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2005
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The main objectives of this project are: 1. Investigate pathogen variation, evolution and co-existence in response to host, agronomic and environmental factors. Novel PCR-based methods have been devised to analyse pathogen DNA in historical cereal samples from a 160-year archive unique to Rothamsted. Further analysis will focus on pathogen genes subject to selection in agricultural systems. The nature and extent of variation in global Leptosphaeria spp. populations will be analysed in relation to disease risk and the deployment of crop genetic resistance. The fitness costs associated with loss of the avirulence function will be investigated for several Avr genes in Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker of oilseed rape). Work will be done on annotation of part of the L.maculans genome, being coordinated by collaborators in France and Australia. 2. Define mechanisms of host resistance to L.maculans and strategies for durable deployment. Insights into the genetic basis of host resistance in petiole and stem tissues will be gained from studies with mapping populations derived from crosses between Brassica genotypes with different disease phenotypes. The infection process of L. maculans in contrasting B. napus genotypes will be studied by imaging isolates expressing the fluorescent reporters GFP and DsRed, as well as pathogen-specific PCR assays. The genetic interaction between Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot of oilseed rape) and Brassica napus is being examined using a mapping population. 3. Refine and test existing models and develop new models for forecasting factors affecting risks of severe epidemics of phoma stem canker and light leaf spot on winter oilseed rape, for incorporation into Decision Support Systems for oilseed rape pathogens and pests and to predict effects of climate change on range and severity of disease epidemics.

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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