Location: Sunflower Improvement Research
Project Number: 3060-21220-034-043-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2025
End Date: Dec 31, 2026
Objective:
This work aims to develop a foundational understanding of S. sclerotiorum virulence across crop species and to identify potential virulence targets for gene-silencing management strategies. This goal will be supported by the following objectives:
Objective 1: Validate genes involved in multi-species and crop-specific virulence.
Objective 2: Assess the conserved function of virulence candidates by generating CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockdowns.
Objective 3: Determine the contribution of Starships and their cargo to virulence and host specificity.
Approach:
The research described in this proposal aims to develop genetic tools to enhance the management of Sclerotinia stem rot by providing valuable information on conserved Sclerotinia aggressiveness determinants (single gene and starships) across crop species to optimize chemical control, RNAi-based technologies such as SIGS, and breeding with complementary susceptibility factors in mind. This project will also provide a proof of concept for RNAi as a potential management strategy for multi-crop species disease management. We will also determine the underlying mechanisms of genomic plasticity and determine how these traits differ between populations, allowing for population-specific strategies to monitor and control S. sclerotiorum and offering translational insights into other plant pathogen systems. Findings from this work may be leveraged to apply for additional funding to understand the mechanisms and applications of virulence-related genes.