Project Number: 5303-21220-003-15
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
The overall goal of the proposed research is to expand our understanding of the biology of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) on cotton so that effective management strategies can be found. The specific objectives are: 1) To determine how of seed becomes infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum; and, 2) To determine efficacy of chemical and heat treatments in reducing FOV in infected seed.

Approach:
For the first specific objective, isolates of the Fusarium wilt pathogen will be genetically transformed with gfp or similar fluorescent gene. The transformants will be used to inoculate cotton and to track the infection process from the soil into the seed. For the second specific objective, cottonseed infected with F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum will be subjected to various chemical and physical (dry and wet heat) treatments. Seeds will be assayed to determine if treatments were effective in eliminating the pathogen from the seed. Documents Reimbursable with Cotton, Inc. Log 32497.