Investigation into the host specificities of various forms of crown rust, a fungal disease of oats, and multiple turfgrass species
Turfgrasses may be infected with three different categories of rust fungi: stem, crown, and stripe rust. Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass), Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), Agrostis stolonifera (creeping bentgrass) and fescues are all common turfgrass plants that are infected with rust fungi. The research currently being done in turfgrass science regarding these rusts lack detailed information about these various species. The purpose of this UROP is to identify possible sources of resistance in Poa pratensis and variation in the pathogen, as well as investigate the hypothesis that rusts associated with oats or Lolium perenne might be pathogenic on Poa pratensis or other Poa spp., and that the various formae speciales may not be perfectly host specific. I am currently working on this project at the USDA Cereal Disease Laboratory on campus under Dr. Yue Jin’s and Dr. Pablo Olivera’s supervision. In addition to their expertise, Nick Greatens, a graduate student in the Department of Plant Pathology will be guiding our research. This project will further the understanding of our taxonomic knowledge on Puccinia coronata (crown rust), an important economic disease lacking up to date information and research.