Integrated strategy to prevent mycotoxin risks (Inspyr)

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Fusarium head blight (FHB) has devastated wheat production in central regions of the USA and poses a serious threat to wheat and barley production in the UK and Europe where it causes Fusarium head blight (FHB). FHB is caused by a number of species that each produce different trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), T-2 and HT-2. These compounds are also harmful to human and animal consumers making them, and the producing fungi, of significance with respect to food safety. This project is a collaborative undertaking to identify and characterize resistance to FHB in wheat and barley and to examine the interaction of host resistance with fungicide to reduce disease symptoms and mycotoxin accumulation in grain. The project involves JIC, NIAB, FERA and CSL research partners along with numerous industrial partners. A combination of field and polytunnel/glasshouse disease screens will be carried out to determine FHB resistance levels in UK varieties and mapping populations. Association genetics and quantitative trait loci analysis will be undertaken to identify regions associated with FHB resistance This project will focus on resistance to initial infection (Type 1) rather than to spread (Type 2). The component at JIC will involve the refinement of Type 1 disease assays along with extensive fine-mapping of two important loci associated with FHB resistance. In addition, work will involve population development, disease screening and genetic mapping and QTL analysis. This project will provide plant breeders with information on the nature and location of resistance to FHB in wheat and barley and tools to enable them to undertake marker-assisted selection within their breeding programmes.

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