Exploring the Fusarium graminearum genome and the compatible interaction with wheat floral tissue
K. HAMMOND-KOSACK (1), W. Lee (1), N. Brown (1), A. Machado (1), M. Urban (1), R. King (1) (1) Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom

Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is a major fungal pathogen of wheat crops globally, causing Fusarium head scab/ ear blight disease. This floral disease results in reduced grain yield and quality, due to the contamination of the grain with various harmful trichothecene mycotoxins. During compatible interactions, the advancing Fg hyphae colonise extracellular spaces in wheat rachis tissue without causing macroscopic symptoms. Later, hyphal penetration of wheat cells coincides with the induction of host cell death. Here we report on the characterisation of the early Fg transcriptome during symptomless wheat infection and the identification of two classes of small secreted Fg effectors, which when transiently overexpressed, lead to enhanced Fg fungal infection. Additionally, we show data indicating a newly identified requirement for fructan biosynthesis in the host during a compatible interaction.

Abstract Number: S6-2
Session Type: Special Session