Root rot resistance: using a model to help a crop

Wheat is the most important European crop. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat production. FHB reduces yield and leads to the accumulation of mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) in grain. Wheat is a relatively large plant with a long life cycle and highly complex genome making it difficult to study interactions with Fusarium. In contrast Brachypodium distachyon (Bd) has a fully sequenced genome, small stature and short lifecycle making it ideal as a model to study interactions between Fusarium and grass species. The current project represents collaboration between the John Innes Centre and BASF, one of the worlds leading chemical companies. The project will develop the model further to identify Bd accessions with ideal characteristics to serve as full models for evaluation fungicide efficacy. The project will include detailed histological comparison of infection of Bd and wheat by Fusarium. This will be complemented by comparative gene-expression studies to explore the full extent of similarities in response of the two hosts to Fusarium and its toxic metabolites. This studies will provide new insights into fungal virulence and host resistance. The student will extend the Bracypodium system to fungicide efficacy trials under the guidance of BASF scientists to develop a high throughput screening system. The project provides an outstanding opportunity to undertake fundamental study of plant-pathogen interactions and translate these to develop practical approaches to crop protection.