The global Fusarium initiative for international collaboration

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB, scab) and Fusarium crown rot (FCR) are important threats to sustainable wheat and barley production worldwide. The efforts to combat these diseases have been increasing around the world throughout numerous countries and research communities. The plan of this workshop was to join together these various research communities so that we, as a global community, can have greater impact and efficacy in our efforts against these diseases. With such a global platform we can support the exchange of information, collaborative research, development and exchange of germplasm enhancement, the development of breeding methods and other activities. CIMMYT has been conducting a holistic operation to enhance resistance to Fusarium diseases in wheat and barley germplasm through systematic and intensive screening in multiple environments and cutting-edge genetic research. Novel genetic variation for wheat is found among CIMMYT’s genebank accessions and synthetic wheat derivatives. The FHB research at CIMMYT has been systemized in a simple workflow on four levels: evaluation of resistance in the field (phenotyping); genetic characterization by DNA markers (genotyping); gene discovery; and development of DNA marker assisted selection (MAS) for use in breeding. To raise the profile of and consolidate these efforts, CIMMYT organized an international workshop—the first in a series—to highlight the importance of Fusarium diseases, the status of collaborative efforts to address these diseases, and future prospects for international collaboration. The agenda involved discussion, planning, and prioritization for the most critical research needs, opportunities for web-based knowledge sharing, opportunities for international collaboration, and action plans in the following topics: 1. FHB-QTL consortium: Wheat FHB-QTL comparative study for the deployment of resistance genes, including the analysis of the bases of resistance, the development of an effective MAS system and the pursuit of germplasm enhancement. 2. Fusarium fungus consortium: Global compilation/monitoring system of genetic diversity, pathogenicity, and toxigenicity from studies on Fusarium fungi, to control FHB and FCR. 3. International scab nursery consortium: Development of new international interactive Fusarium resistance screening nurseries for germplasm enhancement and global compilation of Genotype x Environment x Management effects on resistance to FHB/FCR. This workshop was an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas regarding the current status of FHB/FCR research around the globe.