Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-22000-043-008-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2015
End Date: Aug 31, 2020
Objective:
1. To identify Verticillium species infecting alfalfa of the Pacific Northwest.
2. To develop sensitive and accurate assays for the detection and quantification of Verticillium species present in the Pacific Northwest.
3. To determine the most common soilborne pathogens infecting blueberry in the Pacific Northwest.
4. To adapt, develop, and utilize sensitive and accurate assays for the detection and quantification of soilborne pathogens affecting blueberry
Approach:
This project will identify the Verticillium species associated with verticillium wilt of alfalfa in the Pacific Northwest by isolating the pathogens from naturally-infected plants and identifying to the species level using simplex and multiplex PCR assays. Diagnostic assays based on qPCR and/or other relevant molecular technologies will be developed to accurately detect and quantify Verticillium species. Amendment #1 adds funds to continue the current research objectives and will be used to collect isolates for inoculation studies and to optimize molecular diagnostic tests to detect and quantify the pathogen.
Identify the soilborne pathogens, including Verticillium dahliae, affecting blueberry in the Pacific Northwest by isolating the pathogens from naturally-infected plants and identifying to the species level using simplex and multiplex PCR assays. Diagnostic assays based on qPCR and/or other releveant molecular technologies will be developed, adapted and used to detect and quantify soilborne pathogens.
