Improving our knowledge of genetic mechanisms in host plant resistance and pathogen virulence of Septoria tritici Blotch

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is inviting tender applications to identify the biochemical and molecular basis of plant pathogen interactions between wheat and Septoria tritici. STB is a stubble borne foliar disease of wheat emerging particularly in high and medium rainfall zones of Australia. In 2009, it was estimated that STB had the potential to cost the Southern Australian cropping region $21 million per year. At present growers use fungicides as part of an integrated disease management system to control STB, at a cost of approximately $121 million per year. However, this approach to control STB is expected to be constrained in the future with increased incidences of reduced sensitivity of Z. tritici to group 3 fungicides across the major wheat producing countries including Australia. On the other hand, the wheat varieties that are grown in these regions are susceptible (S) or very susceptible (VS) to STB in their disease resistance. There is a need to understand the biochemical molecules involved in the Z. tritici/wheat patho-system and identify the mechanism of resistance of key resistance genes. This tender also emphasises the need to understand the virulence genes in Australian Z. tritici population and identify the relationship between virulence genes and pathogenicity. The outputs are expected to build on the knowledge of the Australian and Global scientific community to contribute to the development of strategies that control Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat.