Elucidating the pathogenic effects of Ramularia collo-cygni in barley
M. Lyngkjær (1), R. Lemcke (1) (1) University of Copenhagen, Denmark

The formerly hardly recognized pathogen, Ramularia collo-cygni (Rcc), came into focus of scientific research within the last decade in consequence of the increasing problems with Ramularia leaf spot disease in Europe, New Zealand and South America. Rcc is present in most cultivated barley as an asymptomatic endophyte that often shifts into pathogenic growth at the time of flowering having serious negative impact on grain yield and quality. No effective and durable resistance has been identified, and no efficient diagnosis to predict a damaging attack exists. We are investigating the basic genetic mechanisms and molecular components underlying Rcc recognition, colonization and disease development through a time course using a tolerant and a highly susceptible barley host infected with Rcc races provoking either low or high levels of disease symptoms. A quantitative leaf inoculation assay has been established and RNA-seq is used to identify the key molecular components that are involved in the change of lifestyle of the fungus, and subsequent to understand the fine-tuning of gene expression during pathogenic infection. At the same time we are monitoring accumulation of secondary metabolites that may be involved in defense. Initial qPCR results of relative fungal DNA in the infected leaf samples indicate a complex relationship between fungal colonization and symptom development. The key results from the molecular investigations will be discussed in more detail on the poster.

Abstract Number: P17-555
Session Type: Poster