Location: Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research
Project Number: 5082-22000-002-011-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 29, 2024
End Date: Mar 28, 2025
Objective:
1. Determine seed transmission rates of and synergistic interactions between wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV)
2. Characterize mechanisms of seed infestation and potential seed infection by WSMV and HPWMoV
3. Characterize HPWMoV and WSMV epidemiology and potential disease management strategies.
Approach:
Objective 1: Sweet and popcorn lines will be inoculated with WSMV or WSMV+HPWMoV to generate infested seed lots. Rates of seed infestation will be determined and seed transmission rates among infested lots will be evaluated by grow out tests. HPWMoV and WSMV titers will be quantified in corn lines infected individually and co-infected with both viruses to evaluate potential synergism.
Objective 2: Mechanisms of seed infestation and transmission will be evaluated. Seed infection/infestation by WSMV or HPWMoV will be visualized by immunolocalization to determine whether HPWMoV or WSMV infects the embryo. Viability of superficial virus contamination will also be determined.
Objective 3: Mite and virus surveys will be conducted in the Pacific Northwest to evaluate the epidemiology of the mite-virus complex. Virus infected corn, wheat, and other grasses will be scouted at several points throughout the year to assess mite and virus prevalence. Genome sequencing will be conducted to assess virus diversity. Effects of seed handling and treatments will be evaluated. A sweet corn diversity panel will be screened for WSMV, HPWMoV, and WSMV+HPWMoV to identify new sources of virus resistance, map virus resistance genes, and determine whether co-infection facilitates host infection. Remote sensing experiments will be conducted to identify wavelengths associated with virus infection.
