Location: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research
Project Number: 3042-21000-035-017-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jan 15, 2026
End Date: Jan 14, 2028
Objective:
1. Identify wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) genes required for disease synergism in wheat.
2. Examine the mechanisms of viral genes that contribute to the synergistic interaction between WSMV and TriMV.
3. Investigate protein-protein interactions among viral genes required for disease synergism.
Approach:
WSMV and TriMV interact synergistically in co-infected wheat, resulting in exacerbated disease and yield loss compared to individual virus infections. Some of the viral and host proteins are likely involved in synergistic interaction, and identifying wheat proteins interacting with viral synergistic determinants would provide candidate ‘susceptibility genes’ for disease management.