Investment

Investment

GRDC Code: DPI2304-007RTX
Advancing genetic solutions for crop protection in Australian wheat: identifying optimal combinations of APR resistance genes to Septoria tritici blotch (STB)
Wheat production is threatened by various diseases including Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a foliar disease of wheat caused by the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. GRDC, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) and the Australian National University (ANU) are partnering in a $5.22 million project over five years to provide genetic based solutions for the wheat industry against Septoria tritici blotch (STB).

STB causes severe foliar disease that can reduce yield and grain quality. If left unmanaged STB can reduce yields by up to 50 per cent. Traditional control by fungicides is estimated to cost the industry $121 million per year, however resistance to some common fungicides including triazoles and strobilurin used to control STB is evolving. Moreover, the fungus (Zymoseptoria tritici) that causes STB can quickly overcome major resistance genes, due to its dynamic evolution.

Adult plant resistance (APR) genes, which are genes that confer partial but durable resistance to the disease at later stages of plant development, are preferred in breeding programs because of their flexibility in integrated disease management systems. Different combination of APR genes can have additive or epistatic effects on resistance. The optimal number and combination of APR genes for effective STB control is impacted by the environment, the pathogen population, and the genetic background of the wheat variety. Breeders currently lack the tools and knowledge about which combinations of STB resistance genes provide the best disease control, slowing the selection of durable resistant varieties for growers.

This investment aims to optimise APR gene combinations and remove the barriers to their deployment for STB resistance in Australian wheat breeding programs. The objectives are to:

  1. Evaluate performance and stability of different APR gene combinations across diverse environments.
  2. Develop and validate molecular markers for optimal APR gene combinations in wheat breeding populations.
  3. Transfer and deploy optimal APR gene combinations into elite wheat lines using marker-assisted selection.
The expected outcomes of this project are:

  1. Increased knowledge of genetic basis and mechanisms of APR to STB in wheat.
  2. Improved tools for selecting and integrating APR genes into wheat breeding programs.
  3. Enhanced wheat varieties with durable and effective resistance to STB for Australian farmers and breeders.
Project start date:
01/05/2023
Project end date:
30/06/2028
Crop type:
  • Wheat, (Cereal)
Organisation
[NSW] Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Region:
North, South
Project status
status icon Active

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