Research Project: Pathogenomics-based Development of Crop-specific Diagnostics Tools for Emerging and Expanding Fungal Diseases in the U.S.

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Project Number: 2038-22000-019-013-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 1, 2020
End Date: Apr 30, 2024

Objective:
The objective of the project is to develop molecular tools for detection and quantification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato, and several other Fusarium pathogens of tomato.

Approach:
Illumina genomic sequencing of a wide range of formae speciales of F. oxysporum has been done and a comparative genomics software pipeline developed for identification of sequences unique to particular formae specialis. This software pipeline will be used to select unique loci for all three races of the pathogen and design of specific TaqMan diagnostic assays for detection. Parallel work with be done with other genera of Fusarium that are economically important pathogens of tomato. Techniques will be perfected for quantification of pathogen inoculum in the soil.