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Mission Statement |
NECROTROPHIC FUNGAL PATHOGENSStarting in 2000, the ACNFP has established major research programs aimed at understanding the mechanism of pathogenicity and plant disease resistance. We have also developed expertise in legume genetic mapping. MECHANISMS OF PATHOGENICITYOur approach is to study the roles of individual genes in the pathogenicity of Stagonospora nodorum, cause of the wheat septoria nodorum blotch disease. This pathogen, in addition to being the single most important necrotrophic pathogen in Australian broad acre agriculture, has become an excellent experimental model. We are systematically investigating the role of fungal genes in pathogenicity so as to develop a rounded picture of the basic mechanisms of pathogenicity.The Stagonospora genome project. In collaboration with the Broad Institute we have generated and annotated the genome sequence of Stagonospora nodorum. The assembly and initial annotation is available at http://www.broad.mit.edu/annotation/genome/stagonospora_nodorum/Home.html Please do not use the Broad gene annotation. We have significantly updated the annotation. Our current v2 annotation predicts 10762 genes. Contact Richard Oliver to receive the current versions. Using this knowledge, we are developing strategies to identify 1. genes that when expressed in plants will reduce infections. MECHANISMS OF DISEASE RESISTANCEOur approach is to use the tools available for the model legume Medicago truncatula, to dissect resistance to fungal legume pathogens. Fungal necrotrophic diseases are the greatest constraint to the long term viability of grain legume production in Australia with chronically high crop losses (around 25% overall) leading to eroded grower confidence in many legume crops. The expansion and maintenance of the legume acreage is thus tightly linked to the provision of robust crop protection solutions. We have identified strong resistance to key fungal diseases of grain legumes including Aschochyta species, Phoma medicaginis and Fusarium oxysporum in the model legume M. truncatula. We will also continue novel strategies that are increasing resistance to the intractable pathogen R. solani where natural resistance has not been found in its hosts. We focus on the mapping of the genetics underlying the resistance phenotypes, the development of molecular markers to assist legume breeders and characterisation of the molecular mechanisms that confer pathogen resistance to legumes. OutputsGenes and markers to improve disease resistance in crop legumes. LEGUME GENETIC MAPPINGLegume breeding is hampered by a lack of molecular tools. Each crop is regarded as too small to justify the expense of developing a usable suite of markers, traits and maps needed for cost-effective markers-assisted breeding. However, legume species have well-conserved genes so markers developed for the model legume, Medicago truncatula can often be used to map the same genes in other legume species. Using this approach we have shown that many legumes show synteny – co-linearity of gene order. This adds to the synergy available. We apply molecular markers to develop maps in the crop legumes – lupin, chickpea, lentil, lucerne and faba bean. OutputsMarkers and maps to assist legume breeding QUANTIFICATION AND RACE DIFFERENTIATION OF THE WHEAT PATHOGENS S. NODORUM AND PYRENOPHORA TRITICI-REPENTISThe foliar necrotrophic diseases of grain crops include the wheat pathogens Stagonospora nodorum (Stagonospora nodorum blotch) and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (yellow leaf or tan spot). These diseases cause major annual losses amounting to at least 5 or 10% of the crop sown. None of these diseases is well controlled by genetic resistance and current sources of resistance convey only partial protection. Only a small fraction of the resistance genes are mapped and markers to these genes are useful in only a small number of cases. . The goal of this project are:
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