Location: Crop Production and Protection
Project Number: 0500-00102-001-051-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2024
End Date: May 31, 2025
Objective:
The overall objective is to improve the diagnostic infrastructure and provide large-scale testing services that generate pathogen data for the NPMTI surveillance program.
Approach:
The project's goals are divided into two subobjectives: 1) Continue to develop new qPCR tests for pathogens that are selected by the initiative research area committees; and 2) Continue to provide qPCR tests for pathogens in new and archived environmental samples for initiative researchers. To achieve subobjective 1, the cooperator will continue to validate a multiplex test that detects Fusarium isolates with mycotoxin genotypes that cause Gebberella ear rot in corn. The qPCR tests will be modified versions of those found in published literature. Since the pathogen overwinters in the field, the cooperator’s test will be used on residue and a variety of samples collected from spore traps in the field. In addition, the cooperator will develop a probe-based test for Curvularia leaf spot in corn that will have a higher throughput than the current published test. The test will be used to detect and quantify the pathogen in residue and samples from spore traps. In addition, validation of new qPCR tests from miscellaneous pathogens will be conducted as identified by cooperators. To accomplish subobjective 2, the cooperator will continue to process environmental samples from active and passive (grease slides) spore traps as well as residue samples collected by participating researchers. Along with Gray Leaf Spot and Northern Corn Leaf Blight, the cooperator will also test archived DNA samples (2019-2023) at five targets: Southern Rust, Tarspot, Curvularia leaf spot, 3-ADON, and 15-ADON. The results generated from these additional tests will likely bring new insights into corn projects and will assist with developing new hypotheses and research priorities. Similar to corn pathologists, the cooperator will continue to provide testing services to wheat pathologists for active and passive (grease slides) spore traps as well as residue samples. As in previous years, the coooperator will continue to test for three wheat rust and three wheat leaf blotch pathogens. In addition, the cooperator will provide diagnostic services for soilborne pathogens in pulse crops. To start this project, the cooperator will use a previously validated qPCR test for three root rot pathogens: Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium avenaceum, and F. oxysporum. Research and development for two qPCR multiplex tests are ongoing, which will provide results for six additional root rot pathogens: (Fusarium acuminatum, F. redolens, F. solani, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Phytophthora medicaginis). It is likely that these new tests will be incorporated into the Pulse diagnostic program once they are completed.
