Crop science projects

Molecular markers for crown rot resistance in cereal crops

Crown rot of wheat and barley, caused by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum is a major soil-borne disease which occurs across Australia and in similar environments worldwide. Annual losses in Australian farm revenue exceed $50 million annually. Funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) supports research which is attempting to identify in particular varieties, chromosomal regions containing genes which provide partial resistance against this disease. Once these locations are identified, DNA-based molecular markers from these regions are developed to assist the efficient selection of resistant genotypes from among the thousands of breeding lines produced each year by breeding programs. In the longer term high resolution mapping, map-based cloning and comparative genomics approaches are being applied to identify the genetic components of this resistance. We are also involved in collaborations to transfer resistance genes into highly susceptible durum wheats. This approach involves both traditional breeding, molecular marker and cytogenetic approaches.

Supervisor

Professor Mark Sutherland

Mechanisms of plant resistance

Projects in this area will examine the mechanisms used by plants to resist disease. In wheat, the crown rot-causing fungus, Fusarium pseudograminearum, infects the crowns and stem bases of susceptible wheat plants. The progress of infection in a variety of partially resistant genotypes is being investigated in order to understand how these plants restrict the growth of the fungus in their tissues. In barley, several projects are available to study the progress of foliar diseases such as spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) and the relative susceptibility of host genotypes to a variety of pathogen races. Methods being applied include quantitative PCR, gene microarrays and confocal microscopy.

Supervisor

Professor Mark Sutherland

Abiotic stress tolerance

Opportunities exist to study the development of frost tolerance in cereals using transgenic approaches, Several frost tolerant lines have now been produced and other constructs are waiting to be tested. In vivo screening of frost tolerant transgenic lines will be coupled with state of the art physiological and thermography measurements of frosting tissues.

Supervisor