Genomics-based analysis oft he pathosystem wheat/Fusarium towards the development of healthy food and feed (FusResist)

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium species limits wheat production worldwide and provides a permanent risk by contaminating food and feed with mycotoxins that are harmful to man and livestock. Breeding for FHB resistance is a major contribution to more sustainable crop production and reduction of these mycotoxins in grains. We will apply genomics to support practical breeding and to understand the host-pathogen interaction on a molecular and cellular level. German and Canadian partners will combine their outstanding knowledge in three work packages: (1) Genomics-driven selection for FHB resistance, (2) Functional genomics and proteomics of FHB resistance, (3) Genomics of Fusarium graminearum.
Multi-environment phenotyping and genotyping of extensive wheat populations by high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays will be provided. FHB-regulated wheat genes for resistance and candidate genes for potential virulence factors and for secreted proteins of F. graminearum will both be validated by the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system for wheat and the host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) system for the pathogen. Phenotyping of F. graminearum isolates along with the analysis of population structure of natural populations and revealing genetic architecture of pathogenicity and aggressiveness will gain deeper insights into this worldwide important and harmful pathosystem.

External institutions and persons:
Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI, Quedlinburg): PD Dr. Frank Ordon
Leibniz-Institut f. Pflanzengenetik & Kulturpflanzen (IPK): Dr. Patrick Schweizer
Agriculture & Agrifood Canada (AAFC): Dr. C. McCartney, Dr. C. Rampitsch, Dr. C. Hiebert, B. McCallum, Dr. R. de Pauw, Dr. R. Subramaniam, Dr. J. Singh, Dr. G. Fedak, Dr. L. Harris, Dr. T. Ouellet, Dr. N. Foroud, Dr. D. Gaudet, Dr. A. Laroche
University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, CAN): Dr. C. Pozniak
University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, CAN): Dr. A. Brule-Bable, Prof. Dr. D. Fernando
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus (CAN): Dr. L. Tamburic-Ilincic, Prof. Dr. A. Schaafsma
National Research Council of Canada (NRC): Dr. P. Fobert, Dr. D. Gaudet, Dr. M. Loewen
KWS LOCHOW GMBH: Dr. E. Ebmeyer, Dr. V. Korzun, Dr. S. Kollers
German Seed Alliance (GSA): Dr. M. Wolf
ProWeizen: Dr. T. Gerjets