Fire blight in Lily

Background

Fire blight caused by the fungus Botrytis elliptica is the most devastating disease in lily. Leading to significant losses of flowers and bulbs. Currently, the disease is controlled by intensive application of fungicides, which pose environmental and economic challenges. Developing resistant lily cultivars present a sustainable alternative, and the breeding for resistance can be accelerated by using fungal effector proteins to screen lily plants for sensitivity.

Research objective:

This research aims to functionally validate the role of effector proteins in the pathogenicity of Botrytis elliptica. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology, we will generate fungal strains that lack specific effector genes. By comparing the virulence of these strains with the wild-type, we can determine the importance of individual effector genes in the infection process.

Techniques/experiments:

• Comparative gene and protein analysis
• Protein structure prediction
• CRISPR/Cas9-medicated transformation
• Infection assays and protein infiltration studies