Research Objective

• Develop an efficient method to produce NPGI
• Produce diverse NPGIs from clubroot galls collected in western Canada
• Determine race profile for each NPGI
• Carry out genome sequencing of selected NPGIs
• Develop SNP markers tightly linked to each Avr gene and obtain pure genotype isolates of P. brassicae

Project Description

A genotyping based method could be an ultimate solution for race profiling. One prerequisite for this is to determine the presence of  avirulence (Avr) genes in P. brassicae corresponding to CR genes. Association mapping is a method that exploits the variation in a collection of genetically diverse materials. It can be used for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that are associated with casual genes. The researchers will perform the identification of Avr genes in P. brassicae through an association mapping approach after the phenotypic data from the interactions of the canola NILs and NPGIs of P. brassicae are collected.  Genome sequencing of NPGIs will be performed and SNP markers associated with races of P. brassicae will be developed. In addition:

• Genotyping based race profiling will be used to characterize P. brassicae population in western Canada, generating information on pathogen population dynamics for industry and producers in use of developing and growing cultivars for effective control of clubroot. This could lead to a breakthrough in monitoring changes in race structure of the pathogen, providing critical insights into pathogen race dynamics.
• Inconsistency and variation in canola disease assessment caused by mixture of pathogen populations will be minimized, which will provide more accurate information on CR spectrum for each cultivar, ensuring canola producers have effective CR cultivars for clubroot management.
• The genetic resources developed from the project will make the identification and fine mapping of novel CR genes much more efficient, so canola breeders and geneticists can obtain more precise and richer genetic information from their routine screening and assessment.
• It will open up new opportunities to better understand the interaction between the host and the pathogen, so more robust resistance strategies could be developed for sustainable management of the disease.