Objective:
Project 1: Address the process of colonization of florets that leads to perithecia formation on barley grains. Project 2: Confirm that the lipid-filled hyphae form underneath the plant epidermis and perithecia form in association with light-transmitting cells (stomates and silica cells) are the major overwintering stage of the fungus.

Approach:
Project 1: Identify critical host tissue and timing windows that can be used to target transgene expression. Project 2: Determine whether the wide hyphae and perithecium initials are survival structures for overwintering of Fg in wheat stalks; characterize the mycelial components overwintering in corn stalks; and elucidate how crucial light signals that are essential for establishing perithecium initials and “wide hyphae” are perceived by the fungus.