Research

« Return to all Research Projects

Targeting mycotoxin resistance to control fusarium head blight

Crop Types
  • Barley
Collaborating Locations

Background

Generating barley varieties with enhanced FHB resistance is complex because multiple fungal compounds and plant genes influence disease severity. We recently discovered a fungal compound called gramillin that promotes FHB severity in barley and is toxic to plants, killing cells within hours. Gramillin resistance varies across Canadian barley varieties where the ‘Lowe’ malting variety is resistant to this toxin. By better understanding the mechanisms and genes involved in gramillin resistance, this work will enable breeders to track and transfer the gramillin resistance into elite barley varieties.

Objectives

  1. Test gramillin resistance in key barley varieties to facilitate future identification of molecular markers for the gramillin resistance trait;
  2. Determine the relative contribution of gramillin resistance to FHB resistance and DON accumulation;
  3. To understand the basis for gramillin resistance in barley

Project Details

Principal Investigator
Dr. Elizabeth Brauer
Project Status
Ongoing
Start Date
2021
Completion Date
2023
Funding Partners
SBDC
Total Project Cost
60000.00
MCA Funding
1500.00

Field Issues

  • Disease

Top