Objective:
Enhance scab resistance in winter wheat germplasm by plant transformation and enhance variety development of scab resistant varieties.

Approach:
From derived homozygous lines, field test advanced anti-fungal genes and anti-apoptotic genes; Determine whether DON alone induces apoptosis in wheat. Collaborate with Dr. Yue Jin to screen homozygous transgenic lines in his greenhouse. Cross promising lines with FHB tolerance to Alsen (to enhance the tolerance of an elite FHB tolerant line), to Wheaton (to enhance tolerance of an elite FHB susceptible line), and to Wesley, Wahoo or Millennium (elite winter wheat cultivars). Perform crosses between elite anti-fungal and elite antiapoptotic transgenic lines to determine if the two mechanisms in combination may provide added protection against FHB. Intercross elite lines expressing LF or lactoferricin and intercross antiapoptotic transgenic plants to enhance the FHB tolerance by increasing gene number or by coupling genes involved in the same disease resistance mechanisms. FY06 Title: To Enhance Variety Development of Scab Resistant Hard Winter Wheat Varieties