Project description:Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a detrimental disease that affects small grains such as wheat around the world. Management of FHB is difficult, and improved methods of surveillance as well as a better understanding of pathogen aggressiveness are needed for improved control. F. graminearum disease severity varies depending on the resistance of the host genotype. In this study, we used the field pathogenomics method to investigate gene expression and population structure of isolates collected from wheat lines of varying resistance levels (susceptible, intermediate, and resistant) as well as an axenic control. Differential gene expression was found among isolates collected from different host genotypes. Candidate gene sets were identified for both F. graminearum infection of specific host genotypes and general infection to wheat. Population structure of isolates from different resistance level sources was the same, with all isolates belonging to the NA1 population.
Project description:Transcriptome changes associated with mating interactions were performed in order to identify signaling components and targets of pheromone response. Two monokaryons (S. commune 12-43 and 4-39), a dikaryon (W22 x 12-43), both semi-compatible mating interactions (Aon: W22 x 4-39; Bon, flat: W21 x 4-39), and different S. commune pheromone receptor recipient strains (Vbar2f, Vbar2t) were analyzed for that purpose. In addition, a S. commune strain showing the thin-phenotype (W22-thin) was investigated to figure out the role of Thn1 in mating.
