Grantee Research Project Results
Reducing Fungicide Usage for Potato Production by Unraveling Tuber and Foliage Defense Mechanisms Against the Late Blight Pathogen Phytophthora Infestans
EPA Grant Number: SU834316Title: Reducing Fungicide Usage for Potato Production by Unraveling Tuber and Foliage Defense Mechanisms Against the Late Blight Pathogen Phytophthora Infestans
Investigators: Bradeen, James M.
Institution: University of Minnesota
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $9,996
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
To reduce fungicide usage required for potato production worldwide.
Approach:
We will use “next generation”, high throughput cDNA sequencing to understand disease response pathways in the potato foliage and tuber. Our data will be integrated into large-scale deployment efforts for RB, a gene conferring foliar late blight resistance to potato.
Expected Results:
Worldwide, potato is the fourth most important human food crop. Potato has gained major significance in developing nations in recent years. Potato production is heavily chemical dependent. Late blight disease affects both foliage and tubers, causes multibillion dollar losses annually, and requires the use of millions of tons of fungicides for control. The foliar late blight resistance gene RB can reduce fungicide usage and is expected to be deployed in India as soon as 2012. Our project will provide the basic science knowledge needed to effectively deploy RB. Specifically, our research tests the impact RB has on tuber late blight disease and explores the effects reduced (but not eliminated) sporulation on potato foliage will have on stored tubers. Framework recommendations for reduced or eliminated fungicide usage for potato production within the context of RB deployment will result.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
454 sequencing, pyrosequencing, transcriptomics, plant-pathogen interactome,Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.