Location: Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research
2022 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1. Develop genomic sequence resources and broad range nucleic acid and antibody-based diagnostics for novel emerging and invasive oomycete plant pathogens. (NP303, C1, PS1A, PS1B)
Sub-objective 1.A: Online barcode sequence resources will help researchers understand downy mildews (non-hypothesis driven research).
Sub-objective 1.B: Apply isothermal RPA-lateral flow assays for rapid point of care detection of Phytophthora ramorum in nursery irrigation water. (non-hypothesis driven).
Sub-objective 1.C: Development of a molecular diagnostic assay to detect Hyaloperonospora brassicae from plant material.
Objective 2: Characterize pathogen biology and epidemiology of emerging and invasive oomycete plant pathogens. (NP303, C2, PS2A, PS2C).
Sub-objective 2.A: Characterize the pathogen biology of emerging and invasive Phytophthora.
Sub-objective 2.B: Characterize the pathogen biology of emerging and invasive downy mildews.
Sub-objective 2.C: Determine risks posed by exotic or hybrid oomycete pathogens to U.S. agriculture.
Approach
This project will discover and utilize new knowledge to develop a low-cost and efficient detection assay for the invasive oomycete Phytopthora ramorum in nursery irrigation water and inoculate plants to confirm the pathogen’s host range. Newly introduced Phytophthora species also risk hybridizing with native Phytophthoras to create pathogens of unknown host range and pathogenicity; we propose to study the risk of hybrid development and evaluate isolates from a center of Phytophthora diversity. We will also better identify downy mildews and understand their life cycles. Hyaloperonospora brassicae, the crucifer downy mildew, is newly delimited with an unclear host range. Peronospora sparsa, a newly re-emerging disease of roses and Plasmopara destructor, invasive downy mildew of Impatiens, are poorly understood. This work capitalizes on the existing Biological Safety Level 3 Plant Pathogen Containment Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, required to study foreign plant pathogens and regulated plant pathogens limited to specific geographical regions within the U.S. The characterization of foreign or reemerging pathogens enables the development of robust detection methods, provides the critical information required for risk assessments and control measures, and allows for the screening of potential hosts to restrict spread.
Progress Report
Project recently approved under NP303. Please see progress report under 8044-22000-045-000D entitled “Biology, Epidemiology, and Detection of Emerging Plant Pathogenic Oomycetes,” for annual report.
Accomplishments
