University of Kentucky
Understanding the Effect of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance on Agronomic Characteristics of Soft Red Winter Wheat.
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Agriculture and Medical Biotechnology
Minor
Plant and Soil Science
KY House District #
16
KY Senate District #
32
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Dave Van Sanford
Department
Plant and Soil Sciences
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB), commonly known as head scab, is a major fungal disease affecting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production across Kentucky and the world. The causal agent, Fusarium graminearum, produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), known to cause human illness and feed rejection in livestock. Soft red winter wheat is the most common wheat class grown in Kentucky and holds significant economic and agricultural importance. Head scab reduces yield and poses a severe economic impact to producers whose grain is discounted for kernel damage and DON. Throughout the breeding process, yield can be reduced due the yield drag phenomenon. The goal of this research is to understand if and how much FHB resistance genes affect yield in soft red winter wheat. Parents for crossing were selected based high yield potential and the presence of FHB resistance alleles. A random population of 150 plants selected from the F2 generation of a cross segregating for FHB resistance at several loci were planted in mini plots for yield analysis during 2023 harvest. Tissue samples from each plant were used in a PCR-based experiment (KASP) to determine the presence or absence of resistance alleles at various loci, including Fhb1. This gene is the most common and offers the strongest resistance of genes currently known. This genomic analysis will let us compare each resistance allele combination for their effects on yield production in the field. A sample of the same cross was planted in the inoculated scab nursery and level of infections were rated. The harvested seed was used in an optical sorter analysis to differentiate between infected and healthy seeds to determine the presence of Fhb1. In 2023, data from each experiment will be compiled to analyze for relationships between quality and number of resistance alleles compared to yield production and potential.
Understanding the Effect of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance on Agronomic Characteristics of Soft Red Winter Wheat.
Fusarium head blight (FHB), commonly known as head scab, is a major fungal disease affecting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production across Kentucky and the world. The causal agent, Fusarium graminearum, produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), known to cause human illness and feed rejection in livestock. Soft red winter wheat is the most common wheat class grown in Kentucky and holds significant economic and agricultural importance. Head scab reduces yield and poses a severe economic impact to producers whose grain is discounted for kernel damage and DON. Throughout the breeding process, yield can be reduced due the yield drag phenomenon. The goal of this research is to understand if and how much FHB resistance genes affect yield in soft red winter wheat. Parents for crossing were selected based high yield potential and the presence of FHB resistance alleles. A random population of 150 plants selected from the F2 generation of a cross segregating for FHB resistance at several loci were planted in mini plots for yield analysis during 2023 harvest. Tissue samples from each plant were used in a PCR-based experiment (KASP) to determine the presence or absence of resistance alleles at various loci, including Fhb1. This gene is the most common and offers the strongest resistance of genes currently known. This genomic analysis will let us compare each resistance allele combination for their effects on yield production in the field. A sample of the same cross was planted in the inoculated scab nursery and level of infections were rated. The harvested seed was used in an optical sorter analysis to differentiate between infected and healthy seeds to determine the presence of Fhb1. In 2023, data from each experiment will be compiled to analyze for relationships between quality and number of resistance alleles compared to yield production and potential.