Symptomless infection of barley; resistance breeding and integrated crop protection strategies (SIBLINGS)
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Abstract
This project addresses the TSB criteria novel approaches to address pests, diseases, disease vectors and weeds and development of durable pest-and disease-resistant crop varieties . We will deliver more effective control of a serious and problematic pathogen of barley through understanding its entire life cycle, rather than just the visible disease syptoms which have been used previously to identify infection. The project will use new knowledge about the symptomless rhynchosporium infection of barley to develop new varieties that are more durable to rhynchosporium infection and therefore protected against yield loss to this pathogen. Various sources of host plant resistance will be assessed for efficacy so that the best ones are prioritised. The introgression of an alien resistance gene offers the opportunity of introducing a novel resistance mechanism that, backed up by the marker tools and ability to pyramid with other durable resistance genes, will enjoy a much greater useful variety lifespan in widespread use. Novel molecular and microscopy methods using tagged pathogen isolates will be used to generate knowledge of resistance mechanisms so that appropriate combinations of natural resistance sources can be brought together in optimum combinations. The project will also help develop crop protection strategies which are strategically well directed for increased yield response and risk reduction. Their enhanced effectiveness will be based on an understanding of the way different resistance genes in varieties work and using appropriate fungicides in more intelligent, integrated programmes. The proposal therefore represents a novel approach to both breeding for durable resistance and more effective crop protection with existing chemicals, whilst informing discovery strategies. The durable resistance sources will be developed in new barley varieties and overall we will deliver more effective control of a serious and problematic pathogen of barley through understanding its entire lifecycle rather than just the visible symptoms which have been used previously.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Bruce Fitt (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Fitt B
(2015)
Arable Crop Disease Control, Environmental Change and Food Security
in Procedia Environmental Sciences
Richard B
(2021)
Control of crop diseases through Integrated Crop Management to deliver climate-smart farming systems for low- and high-input crop production
in Plant Pathology
King K
(2014)
Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses
in Plant Pathology
Stotz HU
(2014)
Effector-triggered defence against apoplastic fungal pathogens.
in Trends in plant science
Hughes DJ
(2011)
Effects of disease control by fungicides on greenhouse gas emissions by U.K. arable crop production.
in Pest management science
Looseley M
(2011)
Genetic basis of control of Rhynchosporium secalis infection and symptom expression in barley
in Euphytica
Newton AC
(2010)
Pathogenesis, parasitism and mutualism in the trophic space of microbe-plant interactions.
in Trends in microbiology
Fitt B
(2016)
Plant Genomics and Climate Change
Navarro-Quezada A
(2011)
Rhynchosporium genomics - a strategy towards understanding host specialisation.
| Description | In associated work it was shown that there are isolates of Rhynchosporium that can infect both ryegrass and cultivated barley. Also, a new species was identified on ryegrass. |
| Exploitation Route | Findings are being taken forward in further work on Rhynchosporium, led by KWS, in which I am not directly involved |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Description | The findings are being exploited by commertcial partners in the project, namely KWS and Agrii in particular |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Resistance against the barley leaf blotch pathogen Rhynchosporium commune |
| Organisation | DuPont |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Work on control of Rhynchosporium commune on barley; contribution of expertise on this disease and understanding of its epidemiology |
| Collaborator Contribution | James Hutton Institute (Prof Adrian Newton, Dr Mark Looseley) has provided barley genetic/genomic information. KWS has provided access to barley breeding lines, Agrii and DuPont have provided practical expertise on use of fungicides to control the disease as part of a TSB project (SIBLINGS) |
| Impact | Journal paper and conference papers. Looseley ME, Newton AC, Atkins SD, Fitt BDL, Fraaije BA, Thomas WTB, Keith R, Macaulay M, Lynott J, Harrap D (2012). Genetic basis of control of Rhynchosporium secalis infection and symptom expression in barley. Euphytica 184, 47-56.Newton AC, Fitt BDL, Atkins SD, Walters DR, Daniell TJ (2010). Pathogenesis, parasitism and mutualism in the trophic space of microbe-plant interactions. Trends in Microbiology 18, 365-373.Atkins SD, Fitt BDL, Fraaije B, Harvey S, Lynott J, Newton AC (2010). The epidemiological importance of asymptomatic infection of winter barley by Rhynchosporium secalis and its consequences for crop protection and breeding. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010, 81-86. |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Resistance against the barley leaf blotch pathogen Rhynchosporium commune |
| Organisation | KWS UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Work on control of Rhynchosporium commune on barley; contribution of expertise on this disease and understanding of its epidemiology |
| Collaborator Contribution | James Hutton Institute (Prof Adrian Newton, Dr Mark Looseley) has provided barley genetic/genomic information. KWS has provided access to barley breeding lines, Agrii and DuPont have provided practical expertise on use of fungicides to control the disease as part of a TSB project (SIBLINGS) |
| Impact | Journal paper and conference papers. Looseley ME, Newton AC, Atkins SD, Fitt BDL, Fraaije BA, Thomas WTB, Keith R, Macaulay M, Lynott J, Harrap D (2012). Genetic basis of control of Rhynchosporium secalis infection and symptom expression in barley. Euphytica 184, 47-56.Newton AC, Fitt BDL, Atkins SD, Walters DR, Daniell TJ (2010). Pathogenesis, parasitism and mutualism in the trophic space of microbe-plant interactions. Trends in Microbiology 18, 365-373.Atkins SD, Fitt BDL, Fraaije B, Harvey S, Lynott J, Newton AC (2010). The epidemiological importance of asymptomatic infection of winter barley by Rhynchosporium secalis and its consequences for crop protection and breeding. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010, 81-86. |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Rhynchosporium species on grasses |
| Organisation | ETH Zurich |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided main supervision for PhD project on Rhynchosporium on grasses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Perry Foundation provided funding. University of Nottingham (Dr Paul Dyer) provided expertise in fungal genetics. Rothamsted (Prof Jon West) provided access to lab facilities. ETH-Zurich (Prof Bruce McDonald's group) provided expertise in evolutionary genetics. |
| Impact | Refereed and conference papers.King KM, West JS, Fitt BDL, Dyer PS (2014). Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses. Plant Pathology (pub-on-line; Doi: 10.1111/ppa.12265). King KM, West JS, Brunner PC, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2013) Evolutionary relationships between Rhynchosporium lolii sp. nov. and other Rhynchosporium species on grasses. PLoS ONE 8: e72536. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072536.King KM, West JS, Steffanson TS, McDonald BA, Knogge W, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Both mating types are present in Rhychosporium commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis populations. Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Barley Leaf Blights, Dundee, Scotland, 27-29 June 2011 (pub-on-line).King KM, West JS, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Development of typical and atypical Rhynchosporium lesions on different grass hosts. Aspects of Applied Biology 106, Crop Protection in Southern Britain, 137-142. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Rhynchosporium species on grasses |
| Organisation | Perry Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Provided main supervision for PhD project on Rhynchosporium on grasses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Perry Foundation provided funding. University of Nottingham (Dr Paul Dyer) provided expertise in fungal genetics. Rothamsted (Prof Jon West) provided access to lab facilities. ETH-Zurich (Prof Bruce McDonald's group) provided expertise in evolutionary genetics. |
| Impact | Refereed and conference papers.King KM, West JS, Fitt BDL, Dyer PS (2014). Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses. Plant Pathology (pub-on-line; Doi: 10.1111/ppa.12265). King KM, West JS, Brunner PC, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2013) Evolutionary relationships between Rhynchosporium lolii sp. nov. and other Rhynchosporium species on grasses. PLoS ONE 8: e72536. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072536.King KM, West JS, Steffanson TS, McDonald BA, Knogge W, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Both mating types are present in Rhychosporium commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis populations. Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Barley Leaf Blights, Dundee, Scotland, 27-29 June 2011 (pub-on-line).King KM, West JS, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Development of typical and atypical Rhynchosporium lesions on different grass hosts. Aspects of Applied Biology 106, Crop Protection in Southern Britain, 137-142. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Rhynchosporium species on grasses |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided main supervision for PhD project on Rhynchosporium on grasses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Perry Foundation provided funding. University of Nottingham (Dr Paul Dyer) provided expertise in fungal genetics. Rothamsted (Prof Jon West) provided access to lab facilities. ETH-Zurich (Prof Bruce McDonald's group) provided expertise in evolutionary genetics. |
| Impact | Refereed and conference papers.King KM, West JS, Fitt BDL, Dyer PS (2014). Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses. Plant Pathology (pub-on-line; Doi: 10.1111/ppa.12265). King KM, West JS, Brunner PC, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2013) Evolutionary relationships between Rhynchosporium lolii sp. nov. and other Rhynchosporium species on grasses. PLoS ONE 8: e72536. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072536.King KM, West JS, Steffanson TS, McDonald BA, Knogge W, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Both mating types are present in Rhychosporium commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis populations. Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Barley Leaf Blights, Dundee, Scotland, 27-29 June 2011 (pub-on-line).King KM, West JS, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Development of typical and atypical Rhynchosporium lesions on different grass hosts. Aspects of Applied Biology 106, Crop Protection in Southern Britain, 137-142. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Rhynchosporium species on grasses |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided main supervision for PhD project on Rhynchosporium on grasses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Perry Foundation provided funding. University of Nottingham (Dr Paul Dyer) provided expertise in fungal genetics. Rothamsted (Prof Jon West) provided access to lab facilities. ETH-Zurich (Prof Bruce McDonald's group) provided expertise in evolutionary genetics. |
| Impact | Refereed and conference papers.King KM, West JS, Fitt BDL, Dyer PS (2014). Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses. Plant Pathology (pub-on-line; Doi: 10.1111/ppa.12265). King KM, West JS, Brunner PC, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2013) Evolutionary relationships between Rhynchosporium lolii sp. nov. and other Rhynchosporium species on grasses. PLoS ONE 8: e72536. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072536.King KM, West JS, Steffanson TS, McDonald BA, Knogge W, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Both mating types are present in Rhychosporium commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis populations. Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Barley Leaf Blights, Dundee, Scotland, 27-29 June 2011 (pub-on-line).King KM, West JS, Dyer PS, Fitt BDL (2011). Development of typical and atypical Rhynchosporium lesions on different grass hosts. Aspects of Applied Biology 106, Crop Protection in Southern Britain, 137-142. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Coordination of UK Government 2015 spending for work on animal and plant diseases |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This was an advisory panel aimed at a coordinated bid to Treasury for work on plant and animal diseases across Government departments in the 2015 Government spending round. Intended to brief civil servants and government ministers across different government departments. Produced document for coordination of funding bids across government departments. After the meeting, impacts of research on control of plant and animal diseases will be discussed in 2015 government spending round. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | 2014 Cereals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talked to farmers, policy makers, researchers who visited the demonstration plots and the HGCA stand; This increased the awareness of public of the importance of control diseases on oilseed rape. After the Cereals event, contacted by farmers asking for advice on control of diseases in their crops |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Cereals 2013 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talked to farmers, policy makers, researchers who visited the demonstration plots and the HGCA stand; This increased the awareness of public of the importance of control diseases on oilseed rape. After the Cereals event, contacted by farmers asking for advice on control of diseases in their crops; Contacted by HGCA to produce topic sheets on control oilseed rape diseases. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.cerealsevent.co.uk/ |
| Description | Genetic Improvement Network Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Talk on Oilseed Rape Genetic Improvement Network at Workshop for stakeholders of all GINs, organised by Defra, Feb 22 "016, Norwich |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk at career event at UH |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The talk encouraged students to think a career in plant pathology Contacted by individuals to consider doing a research degree (e.g. MSc, PhD) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |