Program Description

Research in this area includes studies that address mycotoxin biosynthesis in vivo or in planta, host/parasite interactions, and host resistance mechanisms that target the pathogen.  Research in PBG should complement and be linked to whole plant research that will lead to disease control and/or toxin reduction strategies.

FY20-21 Research Priorities Derived from Action Plan Goals:

1. Characterize plant-fungal interactions to identify important genes, proteins or small molecules that may be used to develop FHB resistance or to reduce DON contamination in barley and wheat.
2. Gain new understanding of initial fungal infection that may be utilized to boost FHB resistance.
3. Discover epiphytic or endophytic microbes or microbial communities and viruses that may be useful for development of effective biological control practices for FHB.
4. Develop an improved understanding of plant-pathogen interactions in relation to abiotic factors and identify genes or genetic variants that contribute to pathogen adaptation to wheat and barley agroecosystems.

• Surface interactions of Fusarium graminearum on barley
  Published in Molecular Plant Pathogology,(2018)19(6), pp. 1332–1342 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12616
• Report:  2008 USWBSI PBG Planning Meeting
• Gene Sequencing Data - Fusarium graminearum Genomics
• Histology of Fusarium Head Blight - Selected References (PDF)

Useful Links

• F. graminearum EST analysis
• Plant Biotech, Scab and Don, Crop Genomics

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