Project Number: 6408-21410-009-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 19, 2010
End Date: Sep 11, 2011

Objective:
Objective 1) Discover natural compounds and technologies for weed and other pest management that are applicable to organic farming. [NP 304, C 2, PS, 2B] Objective 2) Identify and characterize the biochemical pathways of phenolic lipid-type allelochemicals and fungicides from cereals, and manipulate these pathways to produce enhanced allelopathic and disease-resistant crops. [NP 304, C 2, PS 2B]

Approach:
Conduct bioassays in collaboration with research chemists during bioassay-directed isolation of new phytotoxins. Molecular sites of action will be determined with genomic and biochemial approaches. Biosynthetic pathways of toxins from plants will be investigated. Genes controlling synthesis of useful plant secondary products and plant defenses to phytotoxins will be identified, cloned, and manuipulated.