Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #347950
Research Project: Development of New Production Methodologies for Biocontrol Agents and Fastidious Microbes to Improve Plant Disease Management

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Title: A quantitative PCR method for determining relative infection rates of maize callus by Fusarium graminearum in screening for fungal resistance genes

Author
item Johnson, Eric
item Dowd, Patrick

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2018
Publication Date: 7/29/2018
Citation: Johnson, E.T., Dowd, P.F. 2018. A quantitative PCR method for determining relative infection rates of maize callus by Fusarium graminearum in screening for fungal resistance genes. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn grown in the United States is susceptible to contamination by ear mold fungi. Some of these fungi can produce mycotoxins which are harmful to animals and humans. It is important to identify novel ways of reducing corn ear mold contamination. Some genetic studies of corn over the years have identified quantitative trait loci that contribute to resisting mold contamination. The gene(s) at these loci need to be individually tested in the laboratory to confirm their suspected role in fungal resistance. We developed a laboratory method using quantitative PCR to accurately quantify the amount of Fusarium graminearum in corn callus. This PCR method can detect the fungus 12 hours after placement on the callus. We found that callus expressing a known fungal resistance gene contained much less fungus than callus expressing a gene not expected to contribute to fungal resistance. This methodology using callus can test putative fungal resistance genes more quickly than methods utilizing transgenic plants, which are more costly to produce and maintain. The identification of fungal resistance genes can result in the creation of corn that is safer for consumption by farm animals and people.