Understanding the molecular basis of NLR-mediated clubroot resistance in Brassica napus
Term: 5 years, ending December 2026
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Kimberley MacKay, Marco Pellino, and Andrew Sharpe, University of Saskatchewan (Global Institute for Food Security); Edel Pérez López, University Laval; Isobel Parkin, Sally Vail, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Peta Bonham-Smith, University of Saskatchewan
SaskCanola Investment: $287,500
Total Project Cost: $500,000
Funding Partners: Western Grains Research Foundation
Project Description
The ability to integrate stable clubroot resistance into new germplasm is needed to protect the economy while ensuring sustainability and growth in canola growing regions. Several strategies (disinfection of machinery and long crop rotations) have been used to avoid the entry of resting spores into canola fields, but the disease continues to spread. The use of resistant canola varieties and hybrids is the best strategy to avoid pathogen-inflicted damage in infected areas.
The proposed project is pertinent due to the alarming increase in the number of resistant canola varieties being infected by new and old P. brasssicae pathotypes. Does this mean that the current sources of resistance are not strong enough to control the pathogen? We cannot answer that question without knowing the identity of the resistance genes, the resistance mechanism, the pathogen effectors triggering the resistance, and whether the presence of one gene more multiple functional alleles is required to confer strong and durable resistance to P. brassicae.
Purpose
The identity and mechanism of genes conferring clubroot resistance in commercial canola germplasm is currently unknown. This lack of information makes it difficult for breeders to generate stable clubroot-resistant canola varieties. The goal of this project is to identify clubroot-resistance genes of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) family and characterize their mechanisms in existing commercial canola germplasm. Having identified candidate clubroot resistance genes, canola breeders will be able to incorporate such genes into their germplasm to test their function in combination with traditional marker-assisted breeding.
Goal
This project will generate knowledge and tools allowing breeders to develop new canola varieties with durable and well-characterized clubroot resistance traits. This project will also help to stop the spread of clubroot in the province, reducing the economic losses associated with the disease, and ensuring that canola remains the most profitable crop in the province.
Objectives
Identify NLR genes associated with clubroot resistance in canola.
Determine the molecular mechanisms of NLR-mediated clubroot resistance in canola.