Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research
Project Number: 2038-22000-016-009-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 1, 2016
End Date: Feb 28, 2021
Objective:
The objective of the project is to develop improved molecular detection methods for several downy mildew pathogens that will be used to support the overall objective of the NIFASCRI proposal, which is to provide an improved disease forecasting system that focuses on accurate risk assessment based on pathogen quantification and environmental conditions.
Approach:
One of the primary projects in the SYs lab is the assembly of oomycete pathogen mitochondrial genomes and the use of comparative genomics to better understand genome evolution, identify loci for phylogenetic analysis and species identification, and development of highly specific diagnostic assays. The mitochondrial genomes of several downy mildew species have been assembled and molecular diagnostic assays designed for their species specific detection based on genomic differences. These assays will be validated with DNAs from a range of species and field samples provided by collaborators and the technology transferred to collaborators on this grant for supporting improved disease management.
