Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #405325
Research Project: Enhancement of Sorghum Genetic Diversity for Disease Resistance and Key Agronomic Traits

Location: Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research

Title: Molecular characterization of the mode of action of three anthracnose resistance genes in Sorghum bicolor

Author
item VERMERRIS, WILFRED - University Of Florida
item WOLF, EMILY - University Of Florida
item VELA, SADDIE - University Of Florida
item STUTTS, LAUREN - University Of Florida
item Cuevas, Hugo

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/18/2023
Publication Date: 6/5/2024
Citation: Vermerris, W., Wolf, E., Vela, S., Stutts, L., Cuevas, H.E. 2024. Molecular characterization of the mode of action of three anthracnose resistance genes in Sorghum bicolor. Meeting Abstract. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sorghum’s ability to withstand periods of drought, flooding and fluctuations in temperature make it an attractive crop for production areas that will be impacted by global climate change. To enable the expansion of sorghum cultivation in warm and humid climates around the world, anthracnose resistance is of paramount importance. This disease is caused by the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Colletotrichum sublineola and affects all above-ground parts of susceptible plants, causing yield losses of up to 50%. The cost of fungicides, the health and environmental hazards associated with their use, and the observed regional variation in pathotypes make the use of sorghum genotypes harboring multiple anthracnose resistance genes the most successful strategy to safeguard yield in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. We have been working on the molecular characterization of three anthracnose resistance genes, one on chromosome 9 identified through QTL mapping and two on chromosome 5 identified through a genome-wide association study of the sorghum association panel. The locus on chromosome 9, validated via virus-induced gene silencing, induces local cell death to prevent the pathogen from spreading. The roles of the loci on chromosome 5 were investigated via transcriptome profiling of resistant and susceptible genotypes using multiple timepoints post infection. The expression data were subjected to a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA) and a gene regulatory network analysis. This led to the identification of a signaling cascade that culminates in the production of reactive oxygen species intended to kill the pathogen.