Location: Chemistry Research
Project Number: 6036-22430-001-008-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: May 15, 2023
End Date: May 14, 2025
Objective:
To investigate insect-vectored transmission of a fungal plant pathogen, and to explore changes in host-plant metabolism that affect insect behavior and performance to influence transmission of the pathogen to subsequent plants.
Approach:
The proposed project will use laboratory assays to artificially inoculate host plants and insect vectors in a controlled way to identify and measure factors influencing pathogen load and transmission between plants. Analyses of plant volatile metabolites and defense chemistry will be conducted to identify markers of pathogen infection within the host plant and determine how infection alters host plant defenses. Behavioral bioassays will be conducted using the insect vector to determine how altered host-plant physiology influences insect-vectored pathogen transmission.
