USDA-ARS Cereal Root Disease Project
The UI Extension Cereals program conducts research on cereal root diseases in Idaho under the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.
This project is part of the USDA Root Disease & Biological Control Research Program based out of Pullman, Washington.
Objective
The objective of this cooperative research is to:
- Identify, characterize and control soilborne pathogens of wheat and barley, such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Gaeumannomyces, Bipolaris and/or Fusarium, which cause root and crown rot diseases
- Identify the effects of cropping systems on root pathogen population size and diversity, and on disease epidemiology
- Identify useful wheat and/or barley germplasm with performance against root pathogens
Approach
Root and crown rot diseases will be identified and characterized through a combination of laboratory, greenhouse and field studies.
The ecology of root pathogens and effects of cropping system on pathogen population size, as well as diversity and disease epidemiology, will be determined using plant pathology, microbiology and molecular biology methods and approaches.
Wheat and barley germplasm will be screened for resistance or tolerance to root pathogens in the field and greenhouse.
A combination of agronomic practices and biological and chemical treatments will control root disease.
Explore other projects under the USDA Root Disease & Biological Control Research Program through the USDA-ARS website.