This CerealPath work programme involves 10 beneficiaries and 11 partner organisations from across Europe, encompassing academia, industry and government agencies, each with specific and complementary competencies in the areas of gene discovery and breeding, biological and bioactive disease control and trade-off and pathogen evolution. These specific research areas are augmented by a variety of network-wide training events, meetings, and symposia, supported by an extensive management and support function.
The Action began in September 2015, with the initials steps being: finalising of the Consortium Agreement, the development of an online presence, and recruitment and induction of ESRs to the Action. A total of five network-wide training events and three symposia took place over the course of the Action. These training events included theoretical and practical training on Cereal pathology - current practices and advances in disease control and workshops on Agriculture and Society, and Development and sustainable use of Biologicals and Bioactives for disease control.
In addition to training in these areas, the ESRs worked on individual projects associated with the research strands of the project:
For the Gene Discovery and Breeding strand, we have identified several candidate genes for important plant disease resistance. Using the state-of-the-art gene technologies, we have identified and characterised resistance genes and genetic markers for Fusarium head blight, Fusarium root rot and leaf rust in wheat and model plant Brachypodium. These genes and markers will serve as important tools in the development of disease resistance wheat cultivars.
Within the Bioactive and Biological Control strand, the Action has characterised several endophytes that showed potential for control of Septoria tritici blotch, Fusarium seedling blight, Fusarium head blight, Take-All and net blotch in wheat and barley. Bioactive compounds were also studied for their potential to control cereal diseases and were found to be effective against Septoria tritici blotch and Fusarium head blight. We also studied the potential of using RNAi technology for cereal disease control. We identified several sRNA candidates which have potential to be used for control of Septoria tritici blotch and Fusarium diseases in wheat and barley.
For the Pathogen Evolution and Trade-Off strand, we studied the dual role of genes that confer resistance or susceptibility to diseases. Wheat plants with Lr34 gene were resistant to rust and powdery mildew but were highly susceptible to blast.The mutant gene mlo conferred resistance to or mildew in wheat while it susceptibile to Ramularia leaf spot. Furthermore, new resistance genes and pathogen effectors were identified for Septoria triciti blotch in wheat. The evolution of disease resistance genes was also studied in silico to have a better understanding of host and pathogen evolution.
The research outcome of the projects will form the basis for the development of new strategies and technologies for integrated cereal disease management and sustainable food production. The scientific outputs from the Action were disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, technical reports, presentations at national and international conferences, and outreach activities using several platforms such as exhibits, school visits and media.
