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Genetic diversity of root-colonizing fungi and genetic transformation systems for improved monitoring of fungus- plant interactions

Reference	BBS/E/C/00031763
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Penny Hirsch
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	47,699
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/1997
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	18 months

Abstract

There is little information on the diversity of soil fungi which can colonize plant roots but they are important in the supression of certain diseases. Fungi which are pathogenic to insects or nematodes have potential as biocontrol agents but their use is limited by environmental factors which are not well understood, including interactions and competition with other soil fungi. Methods are needed for monitoring fungal survival in soil after application as a biocontrol inoculant, and to monitor growth and root colonization. Selective culture can be used to enummerate the culturable propagules of some of these fungi but the methods are slow and not accurate Rapid, more precise methods are needed and the use of PCR with specific primers is one option. Biocontrol fungi marked with genes expressing products which give visible signals during microscopy would offer many advantages for monitoring interactions between fungi and nematodes on root surfaces. A system to transform the fungi is being developed. This project has some links with previous Project 031468 and Programme 210. Objectives 1996 Non. New project in 1997. 1997 Compare PCR fingerpints of an elite biocontrol strain of Verticillium chlamydosporium, Vc10, with other V. chlamydosporium and Verticillium of other species; other biocontrol species, and common soil fungi using different primer sets, DNA from pure fungal cultures, and infected plants. Investigate the susceptibility of Vc10 to various inhibitors for which fungal resistance genes are available, to identify the basis for a fungal transformation system. Develop proceedures to make Verticillium protoplasts that regenerate efficiently. Design primers that specifically identify Vc10 on nematode- infected plant roots. Attempt to transform protoplasts with benomyl resistance genes.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
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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