Project Number: 3620-22410-012-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2009

Objective:
1) Molecular surveillance of Canadian Fusarium head blight (FHB) populations, 2) Determine levels of gene flow and population differentiation between Canadian FHB with different toxin types, and 3) Characterize the relative pathogenicity, toxin production, growth rate, spore production and fungicide sensitivity of FHB with different chemotypes. The proposed research will have a direct and substantial impact on FHB disease control efforts by elucidating the distribution and movement of the highly toxigenic 3ADON isolates, and by determining the basis for their rapid spread and apparent selective advantage over 15ADON isolates. This information will also be critical to the formulation of informed regulatory policy and the development of cereal cultivars with broad-based resistance to trichothecene-producing fusaria.

Approach:
In order to accomplish the proposed research objectives we will estimate genetic diversity and assess changes in pathogen populations using a variety of molecular markers. In addition, we will assay variation in toxin production, growth and reproductive characteristics of head blight pathogens collected from Canadian wheat fields during the 2005-2007 harvests. These data will be analyzed to determine the spread of highly toxigenic pathogen populations and to assess the transfer of adaptive traits between pathogen populations. In addition, these data will be used to develop or inform pathogen monitoring programs, plant hygiene protocols, agricultural practices, and mycotoxin evaluation strategies aimed at preventing the introduction of highly aggressive pathogens into the U.S., and minimizing the impact of these pathogens on agricultural productivity and food safety.