Award details

Epidemiology of ear blight and biology of toxigenic Fusarium species and related pathogenic fungi in cereal crops

Reference	BBS/E/J/000CA310
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Paul Nicholson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	58,175
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2006
End date	31/03/2010
Duration	48 months

Abstract

This project is studying comparative epidemiology of two mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species (Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum) that attack cereals, causing head blight, leading to contamination of grain with harmful mycotoxins. Furthermore it is investigating the significance of the two mycotoxin chemotypes (nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON)) in cereal disease. The project has three broad objectives: 1) To determine the timing and conditions necessary for dispersal of inoculum to initiate head blight. 2) To determine the significance of inoculum and infection consisting of mixed species and strains on ear blight and mycotoxins and interactions with host crops. 3) To develop a risk model for decision support system that can be used to prevent or limit mycotoxin development in crops. Objective 1 will be achieved using a series of field experiments in which the two species are introduced into plots and monitored by conventional and molecular diagnostic assessment in subsequent seasons. Information from crop monitoring, in the associated projects based at the Central Science Laboratory and Harper Adams University College, will provide essential background and substantiate the experimental findings. For objective 2, chemotype-based selective advantage among isolates of each species, between isolates of the two species and between these two species and competing non-toxin producing species (Microdochium nivale and Microdochium majus) is being studied using species and chemotype-specific quantitative molecular diagnostics. Data from these studies is being used to develop a risk model for disease in crops and subsequent mycotoxin accumulation in grain.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbial Food Safety, Microbiology, Plant Science
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

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search