Clubroot resistance gene function based on whole genome sequences, genome editing and resistance phenotypes
Term: 5 years, beginning in 2023
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Stephen Strelkov, U of A
SaskCanola Investment: $208,334
Total Project Cost: $2,500,000
Funding Partners: RDAR, ACPC
Objective
The proposed research will characterize CR genes based on genome-wide association analyses between clubroot disease data and the whole genome sequence (WGS) data from UA clubroot resistance donors and 28 Brassica hosts available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Brassica database (BRAD) websites.
Project Description
Clubroot is one of the most important disease issues in Canadian canola. The deployment of genetically resistant cultivars is the most effective and widely used strategy to manage this disease. Unfortunately, new pathotypes have emerged that can overcome host resistance. The University of Alberta (UA) Plant Pathology Group has recently partnered with BASF to work together to identify new sources of resistance for growers. The research proposed in this application will build on this investment, by providing for additional resources to expand the scope of the work to include additional components that will improve understanding of clubroot resistance genes and their function. Whole genome sequencing data from over 30 host genotypes, representing six Brassica species, will be combined with phenotypic data obtained from inoculation with 36 pathotypes of the clubroot pathogen. This will enable a unique and large-scale analysis of the genetics of clubroot resistance, yielding multiple benefits including: better-characterized resistance genes and understanding of their function; potential resistance gene labeling approaches; improved resistance stewardship; the development of tightly linked molecular markers for marker-assisted selection; and an enhancement of the capacity for knowledge-based CR breeding in canola. Ultimately, the results of this research will contribute to the sustainable long-term management of clubroot of canola.