Project Number: 6202-22000-031-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 09, 2012
End Date: Apr 08, 2017

Objective:
1) Identify virulence/pathogenicity genes in Pantoea agglomerans, a causal agent of South Carolina seed rot that affects cotton, and apply this knowledge to disease management strategies. Subobjective 1A: Sequence the complete genome of the opportunistic P. agglomerans strain that is vectored by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.) into bolls causing seed and boll rot. Subobjective 1B: Conduct a bioinformatics analysis (BA) of the generated sequence data to putatively identify virulence and pathogenicity genes. Subobjective 1C: Generate mutants of the sequenced strain that contain a disruption in a gene presumptively involved in the infection process and test for pathogenicity in developing green cotton bolls. 2) Determine if a fusaric acid transporter gene can be used to increase resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (F.o.v.) in cotton and apply this knowledge to disease management. Subobjective 2A: Identify and clone transporter genes located near the fusaric acid biosynthetic gene cluster to identify the putative gene(s) responsible for the pathogen's resistance to fusaric acid. Subobjective 2B: Generate knock-out mutants of the cloned genes to confirm their role in resistance to fusaric acid toxicity. Subobjective 2C: Determine if the targeted gene for knock-out is involved in self-protection against fusaric acid and test the mutant for pathogenicity. Subobjective 2D: Identify and clone a microbial gene for an enzyme that converts fusaric acid in a single step to a non-toxic product. 3) Develop and deploy new sources of cotton resistance to both the reniform nematode and root rotting fungal pathogens. Subobjective 3A: Develop germplasm lines with high levels of resistance to the reniform nematode and desirable agronomic properties derived from G. barbadense (GB713) using DNA marker assisted selections (MAS). Subobjective 3B: Determine the role of fungal root pathogens in the stunting of LONREN germplasm lines in reniform-infested fields. Subobjective 3C: Develop LONREN germplasm lines that have high levels of resistance to reniform nematodes and to stunting associated with the Ren1 **lon gene under field conditions.

Approach:
To develop technology to identify piercing-sucking pests that harbor pathogenetic bacteria that cause cotton boll rot, the complete genome of an opportunistic bacterium will be sequenced. Statistics and computer programs will be used to map and analyze potential pathogenicity genes from the genome sequence. Mutants of the sequenced strain that contain a disruption in the gene putatively involved in the infection process will be generated, and these mutants will be tested for pathogenicity. To combat new virulent strains of the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, genes that protect the pathogen from its own phytotoxic metabolites will be identified and cloned. Gene knock out mutants will be generated and the mutants will be tested for resistance to the metabolites. New cotton germplasm exhibiting resistance to the reniform nematode will be developed from Gossypium barbadense accession GB713 using marker assisted selection. In addition, the role of fungal root pathogens in causing stunting of cotton plants expressing the Renlon gene from G. longicalyx will be determined using greenhouse assays. Based on these studies, plants resistant to the reniform nematode will be identified and released as germplasm.