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Collaborating
Scientists:
U.S.:
Chris Little, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,
USA
Neal McLaren, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein,
South Africa
Vara Prasad, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
Scott Staggenborg, Kansas State University, Manhattan,
Kansas, USA Mitch Tuinstra, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Other:
Antonio Logrieco, ISPA,CNR, Bari, Italy
Nigeria:
Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, UTA, Ibadan, Nigeria
South Africa:
Neal McLaren, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein,
South Africa Wentzel Gelderblom, Medical Research Council (MRC),
Tygerberg, South Africa
Hester Vismer, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South
Africa
Gordon Shephard, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South
Africa
Summary:
Fusarium
diseases that cause grain mold and stalk rot of sorghum and
millet are the most important, but as yet unmanaged
diseases, of these crops on a global basis. A number of
species of Fusarium contaminate sorghum grain, but
the causal agents are difficult to distinguish from
secondary saprophytes, and many strains belong to species
that have not previously been described due to morphological
similarities to those isolate from crops more common in
temperate regions. We are working with a large sample of
strains from sorghum and pearl millet in Mali and from
finger millet in Uganda. At least two new species has been
confirmed and an additional 20+ species remain to be
resolved. Purified cultures of known genetically distinct
strains will enable breeders to more reliably screen for
these diseases. Similarly, the location of Fusarium
contamination within the seed is being examined to determine
if these differences can be exploited as part of resistance
breeding programs.
This program
provides three forms of short-term training for scientific
staff members - Fusarium
Laboratory Workshop,
Scientific Writing Workshop and Scientific Research Ethics
Workshop.
These workshops help
train those unfamiliar with the genus Fusarium in
modern methods of working with these pathogens, with many of
the techniques applicable to any plant pathogenic fungus.
The writing and ethics workshops provide an introduction to
the expectations associated for international science
projects for scientists unfamiliar with the expectations of
the international scientific community. In addition efforts
are being pursued to obtain a grant for training graduate
students in the United States through a KSU-IITA-INTSORMIL
collaborative arrangement, and for training a graduate
student from South Africa.
Objectives:
Identification of
Fusarium species associated with pearl and finger millet
and with grain mold and stalk rot of sorghum. Kansas, South
Africa, Mali, Uganda. Relates to INTSORMIL objectives 2, 4
and 5. Species identification and determination of
toxin-production capabilities is important in assessing the
risk posed to grain produced. Species that are present, but
do not cause noticeable disease by themselves or produce
toxins will be of lower priority for control through
breeding or other methods. Some of these species may be
candidates for use as biocontrol agents.
Identification of
portions of sorghum seed particularly susceptible to
Fusarium contamination. Kansas, South Africa. Relates to
INTSORMIL objectives 4 and 5. The location of the fungi
growing on the seed provides targets for breeding and other
control practices for changes that could reduce fungal
colonization.
Regular offering of
Scientific Writing, Scientific Research Ethics and
Fusarium Laboratory workshops. Kansas, South Africa,
Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Malaysia. Training long-term and
short-term, at KSU, for colleagues from less-developed
countries. Relates to INTSORMIL objective 7. The Writing and
Ethics Workshops are important for bringing those
unaccustomed to publishing in the international scientific
literature. May be offered as independent workshops, as part
of an international scientific meeting, or as a part of an
in-country visit. |
