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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Research Project #436978

Research Project: Tools for the Identification and Detection of Graminicolous Downy Mildews, including the Select Agent Peronosclerospora

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Project Number: 8042-22000-298-029-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Sep 1, 2019
End Date: Nov 30, 2020

Objective:
Objective 1 – Diagnostics for Peronosclerospora philippinensis, taxonomy & species diversity. In an effort to more fully examine the species diversity of graminicolous downy mildews in the tropics as well as clarify the taxonomic identification of current samples, molecular markers will be sequenced from DNA extracted from accessions from the U.S. National Fungus Collections and other herbarium collections. These molecular data will be used in combination with molecular assessments to help clarify and resolve taxonomic questions related to the graminicolous downy mildews, connecting existing type materials and/or designating new types as required.

Approach:
Downy mildews of corn, sorghum, sugarcane, millets and other cereals and grasses are among the world's most destructive diseases. Presently there is limited DNA sequence data available to assist with species identification of graminicolous downy mildews. Furthermore, there are no validated molecular diagnostic assays for detection of the three most destructive graminicolous downy mildew pathogens. This project will generate DNA sequences and other systematic resources to support taxonomic clarification and diagnostic assay development for these high-risk pathogens. Specifically, the project will generate DNA sequence data to establish the molecular diversity of a large sample of graminicolous downy mildew pathogens worldwide, and will make use of these molecular data in combination with molecular assessments to help clarify and resolve taxonomy of the graminicolous downy mildews.