Program Description | FY07 Research Priorities | FHB Prediciton Models | Publications/Report Updates
Etiology, Epidemiology and Disease Forecasting (EEDF)
| Chair, Christina Cowger, USDA-ARS, NC |
| Vice-Chair, Gary Berstrom, Cornell University, NY |
| Char Hollingsworth, University of Minnesota, MN |
| Jeff Stein, South Dakota State University, SD |
Program Description
The Etiology, Epidemiology and Disease Forecasting research area supports studies on the relationship of causal organisms with the host at the cellular, tissue, whole organism (the plant), and population levels. Practical outcomes of research in this area are disease management decision tools, and advanced knowledge pertaining to disease development.
Research at the cellular, tissue and whole organism level will address host pathogen interactions that elucidate the cause and progress of disease in the host, and factors that condition the resistance/susceptibility response.
In addition, research at the whole plant level will focus on an understanding of the biology and development of the pathogens in relation to the host plants and may include studies of the physical, structural and chemical (including mycotoxin) components of disease development; and of host, pathogen and environment interactions.
At the population level, research will promote an understanding of epidemic development through examination of pathogen biology and environmental influences. The RA also supports studies on the refinement and deployment of disease prediction and forecasting models.
FY07 Research Priorities
The Etiology, Epidemiology and Disease Forecasting research area of the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative supports research efforts addressing one or more of the following priorities:
- Pathogen Biology and Ecology: Determination of the environmental conditions that favor pathogen survival, inoculum production, dispersal, infection, colonization, and mycotoxin production. The investigation and quantification of factors that increase the risk of severe epidemics; factors affecting temporal and spatial development of disease epidemics; and the development and delivery of disease forecasting/risk assessment systems
- Host-Parasite Interactions: Investigations of the infection and colonization process including interactions between the fungus and susceptible/resistant wheat or barley varieties; and mycotoxin production and impact on pathogen colonization. Research addressing factors associated with high levels of mycotoxin in asymptomatic grain. Research should address cellular, tissue, whole organism (plant or fungus) and/or population levels.
| Summary of Funding | ||
| FY05 (2005-06)* | FY06 (2006-07) | |
| Number of Projects | 21 | 12 |
| Number of PIs | 17 | 10 |
| Total Award Amount | $836,048 | $376,835 |
| % Total Rec. Funding | 16% | 8% |
| Research Projects | FY05 | FY06 |
Research Reports/Publications
- Report: 2006 EEDF Workshop - Factors Influencing DON Accumulation in Wheat Heads
- Gene Sequencing Data - Fusarium graminearum Genomics
- Report: 2001 Epidemiology Workshop (PDF)
- Report: 2000 Epidemiology Workshop (PDF)
- Histology of Fusarium Head Blight - Selected References (PDF)
- NCR-184 1999 Minnesota State Report - Management of Fusarium Head Blight of Small Grains (PDF)
Useful Links
- Scab and DON, General Plant Pathology, Mycology, Commodity Related Plant Disease Indices, Crop Genomics