Genetics and genomics of Brassica-Verticillium interaction

Project Summary

Verticillium stripe cause by the fungus Verticillim longisporum (Vl) is a challenging disease to control due to the long-term persistence (up to 14 years) of the pathogen spores (microsclerotia) in soil. Being a soil-borne disease, the best control measures are deployment of verticillium resistant cultivars and monitoring the pathogen spread using V. longisporum specific molecular markers.

Objectives

• Identifying resistance against verticillium in Brassica germplasm.
• Understanding genome organization of Canadian isolates of the V. longisporum pathogen.
• Understanding the biology of V. longisporum virulence and identifying virulence factors in the V. longisporum genome that are vital to colonization of the host.
• Gaining insight into the molecular interaction between V. longisporum and B. napus.

Results                                  

Researchers identified two B. napus disease resistance QTLs on chromosomes A07 and C02 that are effective against V. longisporum. They developed three markers that can distinguish V. longisporum from other verticillium species. They also identified B. napus lines with resistant, intermediate, and susceptible responses to V. longisporum. These could serve as checks in V. longisporum nurseries. Researchers potentially found a microorganism that can protect against V. longisporum.