2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Identify sources of seedling and adult plant resistance to wheat stem and leaf rust, and oat crown rust; Map resistance genes and QTLs for resistance to cereal rusts; and Use molecular and virulence markers to determine pathogen population structure and migration patterns. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Screen oat and wheat seedlings for rust resistance in the greenhouse; Screen oat and wheat adult plants for resistance in the field to rusts and FHB; Screen recombinant inbred (RI) populations for rust resistance in the greenhouse and field; and Use DArT and SSR markers to genotype RI populations; Determine virulence phenotype and molecular (SSR) genotype of rust and FHB pathogen isolates from the U.S. 3.Progress Report We have undertaken a project to understand microbial communities that sustain plant growth in agricultural and non-cultivated soils. Metagenomic approaches are being used to access soil microbial communities and to measure changes in microbial composition in response to biotic perturbations such as agricultural cultivation. We have designed unique oligonucleotide primers specific to genes of filamentous fungi and are testing them for specificity. Progress on the project goals has been coordinated via telephone calls and monthly meetings with cooperators.