Project Number: 5348-21000-024-07
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 17, 2007
End Date: Jul 31, 2012

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to search for and identify resistance sources of grain legumes to diseases caused by Sclerotinia spp. and related pathogens by screening the commercial cultivars and core germplasm collections of peas, chickpeas and lentils. Develop efficient field and greenhouse screening techniques suitable for each of the grain legume crops. Determine the genetic nature of the identified resistance by using traditional and modern genetic techniques including hybridization and progeny analysis, gene cloning and disruption. Investigate genetic variability of the pathogens. Formulate an approach to incorporate the resistance into future cultivars of peas, chickpeas and lentils for efficient management of the diseases in grain legume production. Publish findings in international journals.

Approach:
Compare various techniques for inoculum production and inoculation onto peas, chickpeas, and lentils. Select the best technique to screen the commercial cultivars and core germplasm collections of the grain legumes. Evaluate plant growth habit in relation to resistance to white mold and related diseases. Use traditional genetic techniques such as hybridization to determine the inheritance pattern of the identified resistance. Employ modern genetic techniques to locate resistance genes in grain legumes, and to isolate and disrupt the pathogenicity gene in the pathogens. Utilize vegetative compatibility grouping technique and DNA fingerprinting to determine genetic variability of Sclerotinia spp and related pathogens. Document the SCA with the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, Pullman. Formerly 5348-21000-014-01S (5/08).