ARS | Publication request: Transgenic Field Trials for FHB Resistance and Related Research in Wheat and Barley

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 31, 2009
Publication Date: December 2, 2009
Citation: Dahleen, L.S., Dill-Macky, R., Shah, J., Muehlbauer, G., Skadsen, R.W., Manoharan, M., Tilahun, A., Jurgenson, J. 2009. Transgenic Field Trials for FHB Resistance and Related Research in Wheat and Barley. Meeting Abstract. In: Ouellet, T and Leger, D. (eds.). Proceedings of the 6th Canadian Workshop on Fusarium Head Blight. Nov. 1-4, 2009. Ottawa, ON, Canada. Page 38.

Technical Abstract: Transgenic wheat and barley lines expressing genes with the potential to reduce FHB and DON have been tested in field trials in Minnesota since 1997 and in North Dakota since 2001 (barley only). Replicated trials are planted, grown, and harvested to meet containment regulations of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to prevent accidental escape of the transgenic organisms, and trials are routinely inspected. Harvested seed is evaluated for DON contamination in labs at Minnesota and North Dakota. Early transgenes used were typically genes for antifungal compounds or genes induced by pathogen infection. More recently, genes selected as specifically influencing FHB reaction in model systems have been inserted into wheat and barley. As homozygous lines are developed, they are tested in these field trials, providing direct comparisons with resistant and susceptible lines from wheat and barley breeding programs.