Project
Agroecology and Biotechnology of Stalk Rot Pathogens of Sorghum and Millet
Details
Project Code:
KSU-210
Start Date:
2002
End Date:
2007
CRSP Phase:
Not Available
Budget:
Not Available
Participants
Lead University:
Kansas State University
Other Partners:
Not Available
Principal Investigator(s):
J.F. Leslie
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
None
Overview
The analysis of Fusarium toxins as a complement to aflatoxin analyses in maize and sorghum is critical to the production of food quality grains and thus the fight against poverty and hunger. Problems associated with toxins in contaminated maize may make maize produced in marginal areas unsafe for human consumption with levels of toxins expected to be higher than those allowed even in
animal feed in developed countries.
Objectives
1. Increase collection of fungal samples from sorghum and millet, especially grain, and identify the species recovered. 2. Develop characters, such as mating type, for assessing genetic variability in fungal populations. 3. Provide pure cultures of fungi from our extensive collection to U.S. and LDC investigators to expedite diagnoses of fungal diseases of sorghum and millet. 4. Determine mycotoxigenic potential of Fusarium spp. from sorghum and millet. 5. Conduct Scientific Writing and Fusarium identification training workshops.
Outcomes
The results of this work on analysis of Fusarium Toxins in sorghum and confirmation that sorghumhas less mycotoxins than maize could significantly boost sorghum production in areas where Fusarium in maize is a problem. The extension will also provide for the completion of the ''Fusarium Laboratory Workshop'' and ''Scientific Writing'' training workshops asscheduled. Both are critical activities.
