Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Mapping and identification of candidate genes for Fusarium ear rot resistance and fumonisin contamination in maize |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Yogesh Vikal, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | yvikal-soab@pau.edu |
Details
Executive Summary : | Ear rot, an economically significant disease in maize, is caused by various fungal genera such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, Diplodia, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. The prevalence of a particular species or group causing ear rot is determined by climatic conditions. Fusarium ear rot (FER) caused by Fusarium verticillioides leads to 10-30% yield losses and is an emerging issue for food safety due to the secondary metabolite fumonisin produced during infection. Fumonisins are probable carcinogens, alleged to be involved in esophageal cancer, neural tube birth defects in humans, and in livestock causing equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, poultry reduced growth, and hepatic and immune disorders in cattle. The genetics of FER resistance is complex and largely influenced by environment and genetic background. There is a lack of information on the genetics of FER resistance and the production of fumonisin content in kernels in the context of Indian germplasm. To gain insights into FER resistance and fumonisin accumulation, an F2 mapping population and F2:3 progenies derived from a cross of two inbreds with contrasting responses to FER and fumonisin accumulation in kernels will be phenotyped in Kharif 2023 and Kharif 2024. The genomic regions associated with FsR resistance and fumonisin content will be identified, and major QTLs for FER resistance and fumonisin contamination will be fine-mapped using more ssR and sNP-derived markers. Potential candidate genes will be explored and validated through expression analysis and maize inbreds. Derived FER-resistant lines in combination with no/low fumonisin content will be available for commercial breeding in maize. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Priti sharma, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, Dr. Harleen Kaur, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, Dr. surinder K sandhu, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004 |
Total Budget (INR): | 34,87,264 |
Organizations involved