Understanding R gene-mediated resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans for effective control of phoma stem canker in oilseed rape

Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is an economically important disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. East Anglia is a major oilseed rape growing area in the UK. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, there are three related objectives: (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation from avirulence to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance. Effective control of this disease will not only benefit agricultural industry in East Anglia by reducing yield losses but also benefit the environment by reducing use of fungicides.