Award details

(A) DNA diagnostics and decision making in plant disease control: improving fungicide management using real-time PCR

Reference	JE412659
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Derek Hollomon
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Bart Fraaije
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	41,096
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/04/2000
End date	01/10/2000
Duration	6 months

Abstract

As part of a BBSRC/HGCA link project we have developed a PCR diagnostic assay for detection and quantification of Septoria diseases in wheat. Downstream processing uses intercalating fluorescent dyes in end-point assays. The dynamic range of these assays is limited, and to quantify the wide range of Septoria levels in field-crops, several assays, each requiring a different PCR cycle number, are needed. Real-time PCR overcomes this problem by extending the dynamic range and, along with other advantages, will increase sample throughput. Real-time PCR also allows access to recent developments in diagnostic technologies which detect point mutations known to confer fungicide resistance. The experimental work directed at improving disease monitoring seeks to evaluate our assays under more varied conditions, and define the range of fluorescence units that would trigger fungicide treatments. This involves field trials in which pathogen levels, especially in leaf 2, will be monitored routinely before and after fungicide treatments applied at different times. Correlation between pathogen level at treatment, subsequent disease control and yield benefit will define treatment thresholds. This also generates basic information on the spread of disease and will help to develop meaningful sampling protocols. Point mutations in target genes are increasingly correlated with resistance to DMI and strobilurin fungicides. Using resistant fungal strains carrying these mutations, we will extend earlier work with benzimidazole resistance, evaluating novel technologies to detect these mutations at frequencies well below those currently achieved through conventional monitoring.

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	Joint Equipment Initiative 1999 (JE4) [1999]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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