Lab receives $1.4 million grant to study virus seed transmission

Along with collaborators at The Ohio State University and Washington State University, the lab received a $1.4 million grant from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. The 4-year grant will fund research on various aspects of the seed transmission of High Plains wheat mosaic virus and wheat streak mosaic virus in sweet corn.

February 1, 2024

Lab receives grant to study the diversity of High Plains wheat mosaic virus

In collaboration with Dr. Lindsey du Toit at Washington State University, the lab received a grant from the Western Region Intergrated Pest Management Center to study the diversity of High Plains wheat mosaic virus and perform preliminary seed transmission tests of diverse virus isolates. High Plains wheat mosaic virus is a growing concern for sweet corn seed production and export.

February 28, 2023

Lab releases new corn germplasm to help in the fight against maize lethal necrosis

Maize lethal necrosis is a devastating disease of corn, especially in East Africa. The Corn & Soybean Virus Lab recently released a maize synthetic population with elite resistance to maize chlorotic mottle virus, one of the two viruses that cause the disease. This germplasm release was featured by the Agency's press office: Viral Tag Team Stymied by New Corn Germplasm

January 3, 2022