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<ol> <li> Identify new sources of corn germplasm resistant to fungal infection, growth, and
aflatoxin contamination using laboratory and field inoculations of corn kernels with
tester fungi designed for rapid resistance screening. <li> Facilitate marker assisted
corn breeding efforts. Identify resistance associated proteins (RAPs), e.g.,
antifungal, stress responsive, or interfering with toxin signaling pathways, in
developing and mature corn kernels through proteomic comparisons of resistant and
susceptible corn inbreds, some with very similar genetic backgrounds. <li>
Genetically engineer cotton with the resistant alleles of RAP genes from corn and
also genes from non native sources to enhance resistance to aflatoxin contamination.
Test genetically engineered crops in the greenhouse for resistance to aflatoxin
contamination, and transfer selected resistant lines to cooperating plant breeders
and plant pathologists for development of commercial or public varieties. <li> Develop rapid, non destructive hyperspectral imaging methodology to measure fungal
growth and aflatoxin in corn kernels and for assessing spectral signatures associated
with traits for resistance to aflatoxin contamination.</ol> Objectives 1-3 address
utilization of resistance genes that could have generic value in enhancement of
resistance in all crops vulnerable to aflatoxin contamination.
Resistance to aflatoxin contamination will be enhanced in corn and cottonseed through
marker assisted breeding and genetic engineering, respectively. In order to
accomplish these goals, complex natural resistance mechanisms in corn kernels will be
elucidated in resistant corn inbreds through identification of resistance associated
proteins using proteomics and other resistance associated compounds through chemical
analysis. Understanding the molecular basis of seed based resistances will lead to
identification of biochemical factors correlated with resistance for use in marker
assisted breeding and/or when pertinent resistance genes are identified and cloned,
for use in enhancement of resistance in crops through genetic engineering. This
strategy is especially pertinent to cottonseed, which does not possess practical
levels of natural resistance to aflatoxin producing fungi in its germplasm base.
Another goal is to assess resistance related biochemical products for their stability
of expression in native and transgenic crops under environmental conditions (e.g.
drought) known to be conducive to aflatoxin contamination. Also as a part of this
project, rapid, non destructive detection methodology based upon hyperspectral
imaging will be developed to exclude aflatoxin contaminated corn for enhancement of
food safety and homeland security, and also to measure physical and biochemical
attributes in kernels potentially useful in resistance marker selection.