Project Number: 1230-22000-022-08
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2008

Objective:
To better understand the biological interactions between the plant pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 and its ornamental host plants, particularly geraniums. More specifically, we propose to study the environmental and genetic variables affecting disease onset, latent infection, disease transmission, and pathogen survival. The long-range goal of this project is to improve our knowledge base for detection, identification, epidemiological prediction, and strategies for eradication of this exotic plant pest.

Approach:
We will use quantitative inoculations of host plants under controlled environmental conditions to delineate conditions conducive to disease development and latent infection. Standard microbiological techniques (quantification by plating, ELISA, or rt-PCR) will be used to detect and enumerate bacteria from infected plants and relevant associated environments. Mutagenesis (both random and site-directed) and other current functional genomics techniques will be used to identify specific genetic factors unique to race 3 or likely to be responsible for Race 3's particular ecological, epidemiological, and pathogenic characteristics.