4d.Progress report.
ANNUAL RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT Report of Progress (AD-421)

Accession:0408182 Year:2006 Project Number:5348-22000-012-12S Mode Code:5348-35-00 STP Codes: 2.2.1.1 2.2.1.3

Title: Control of wheat and barley root pathogens

4D. Progress Report.

This project is assigned to National Program Plant Diseases, NP 303 This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the University of Idaho. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent project 5248-22000-012-00D, NP 303, Plant Diseases.

Seed treatment trials for crown and foot rot diseases in wheat and barley. Fusarium spp. causing crown and foot rots are chronic problems of wheat and barley in southern Idaho. Environmental conditions in high elevation areas of the Idaho limit some crop production to continuous cereals, thus exposing crops to high disease pressure from Fusarium spp. and other soilborne pathogens. ARS collaborators at the University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID tested commercial and numbered compounds on spring and winter cereal in three different fungicide trials for control of crown and foot rots. With most fungicidal compounds, yields were improved, while stand, loose smut and percent seed germination were reduced. With some compounds, crown and stem discoloration were significantly reduced. The results of these studies provide growers with more tools to control soilborne pathogens. This accomplishment aligns with Component 4 of NP 303.

Screening for resistance to Fusarium species. There is little resistance available to combat root-infecting fungi such as Fusarium culmorum, the predominant root-infecting Fusarium in southeast Idaho. ARS collaborators at the University of Idaho, Aberdeen, ID, established a Fusarium foot rot screening nursery at the Aberdeen Research & Extension Center and 88 varieties of wheat, 92 varieties of barley, and 39 transgenic lines were planted and tested for resistance to crown and foot rots. Identification of varieties and advance lines showing increased tolerance to Fusarium infection will assist in the development and recommendation of barley and wheat varieties that perform best under dryland conditions where Fusarium crown and foot rot prevails, reducing associated yield losses. This accomplishment aligns with Component 3 of NP 303.