Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to
TOLERANCE OF MEDICAGO LEGUMES TO BIOTIC STRESSES: INTEGRATING GENOMIC FUNCTION WITH PLANT RESPONSE TO PESTS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
NRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0204113
Grant No.
2005-35301-15938
Project No.
MD-LAMP
Proposal No.
2005-00851
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
52.2
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2005
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2006
Grant Year
2005
Project Director
Lamp, W.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
ENTOMOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
Medicago represents a genus of plants that is of great value in forage production and environmental restoration. Yet, these plants are subject to a wide range of pests, most notably from herbivorous insects and pathogenic fungi. Currently, several sets of researchers (US and European) are describing and investigating the functional genomics of Medicago species. Since plant genotypes vary in their ability to tolerate pests, genomic function is related to the protection of Medicago species from pest-induced injury. As specialists in crop protection and physiology of Medicago, we propose to chair a multidisciplinary conference to identify linkages between genomic function, plant physiology and biochemistry, and plant-pest interactions, leading to increased awareness and greater collaboration among disciplines. The outcome of the conference will be a state-of-the-art review of tolerance of Medicago legumes to biotic stresses, as well as a list of specific research needs. The ultimate goal is to understand mechanisms of tolerance to pests within Medicago, and to produce new, improved varieties and germplasms that withstand pest attack.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
60%
Applied
40%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011640104020%
2011649104020%
2111640113015%
2111649113015%
2121640116015%
2121649116015%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1640 - Alfalfa; 1649 - Forage legumes, general/other;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1160 - Pathology; 1040 - Molecular biology;
Goals / Objectives
Medicago represents a genus of plants that is of great value in forage production and environmental restoration. Our objective is to hold a multidisciplinary conference to identify linkages between genomic function, plant physiology and biochemistry, and plant-pest interactions, leading to increased awareness and greater collaboration among disciplines. The outcome of the conference will be a state-of-the-art review of tolerance of Medicago legumes to biotic stresses, as well as a list of specific research needs. The ultimate goal is to understand mechanisms of tolerance to pests within Medicago, and to produce new, improved varieties and germplasms that withstand pest attack.
Project Methods
The conference will be held at the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, where much of the research on Medicago genomics has been centered. The Foundation has graciously agreed to host us for a 2.5 day meeting on 25-27 October, 2005. We have planned for five half-day sessions, including the speakers listed below, but also with discussions to focus on conference goals. Indeed, no speakers are planned for the last day; the emphasis will be on integration and identification of research needs. Posters will be encouraged from all participants to help communicate current and potential research areas.

Progress 08/01/05 to 07/31/06

Outputs
Medicago represents a genus of plants that is of great value in forage production and environmental restoration. Yet, these plants are subject to a wide range of pests, most notably from herbivorous insects and pathogenic fungi. Currently, several sets of researchers are describing and investigating the functional genomics of Medicago species, with special focus on M. truncatula as a model plant. Since plant genotypes vary in their ability to tolerate pests, genomic function is related to the protection of Medicago species from pest-induced injury. As specialists in crop protection and physiology of Medicago, we held a multidisciplinary conference to identify linkages between genomic function, plant physiology and biochemistry, and plant-pest interactions, leading to increased awareness and greater collaboration among disciplines. The conference, hosted by the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma, was held October 24-27, 2005, and included 19 invited speakers and 46 participants. The conference provided a state-of-the-art review of tolerance of Medicago legumes to biotic stresses, as well as a list of specific research needs. At the conclusion of the conference, the ultimate goal of the group, including both molecular biologists and traditional plant breeders/scientists, was to understand mechanisms relating genotypes and phenotypes within Medicago, and to produce new, improved varieties and germplasms of alfalfa that withstand pest attack. Plans are underway to develop a research proposal aimed at integrating genomic function with needed phenotypes within Medicago.

Impacts
Current perspectives on the biology of Medicago plants fall into two areas: functional genomics and traditional fields of plant breeding, agronomy, and pest disciplines. This conference represented one of the first meetings including scientists that represent both perspectives. One of the primary conclusions of the conference was the importance of reaching across the two perspectives to achieve two goals: 1) to improve breeding programs to include genomics, and 2) to obtain knowledge of mechanisms of plant biology to understand field-level responses. These goals are important for improving alfalfa production and use for environmental restoration.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period