Virus-infected Brachypodium (Courtesy of Kranthi Mandadi)
Grasses comprise key food crops, as well as bioenergy feedstock. However, their productivity and biomass is greatly hindered by viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, which cause yield losses of up to 60 percent. This proposal seeks to build comprehensive gene atlas maps for diverse bioenergy grass-microbe interactions, including pathogenic and beneficial interactions in two grass models, Brachypodium and Setaria. The knowledge can be used to develop innovative solutions to improve bioenergy feedstock yields and protect investments in the bioenergy-based economy.
Proposer: Kranthi Mandadi, Texas A&M University
Proposal: Gene atlas of diverse grass-microbe interactions in Brachypodium and Setaria