Research strategies

We are investigating in two major strategies for controlling R. secalis, both based on understanding the pathogen evolution and epidemiology.:

1) The genetic and molecular bases of resistance.

2) The effect of morphology and heterogeneity of canopy structure on epidemic progress.

These two strategies interact and we are particularly interested in exploiting these interactions in 'variety mixtures' or 'blends'  of current commercial varieties where other advantages on improved quality and yield are also studied.

Studies

We study the population structure of R. secalis in homogeneous and heterogeneous host populations to determine the effects on the evolution and dynamics of pathogens. The interaction between host and pathogen populations occurs in two ways: the infection of the plant by the fungus - epidemiological, and the selective pressure exerted by various spatial arrangements of host genotypes on the pathogen population - evolutionary. The dynamics of these processes are complex and closely interdependent. In an agricultural setting, the problem is simplified by the fact that the co-evolution of the host population need not be considered.