The University of Regina

Published purpose

To accelerate the development of novel biocontrol inoculants against Aphanomyces euteiches (A. euteiches) root rot, the Project expand the suite of bacterial mutagenesis tools that can be used to study the phenomenon’s key underlying mechanisms. New INSeq vectors will be designed and an RBTnSeq protocol will be adapted and optimized. These tools will be applied to understand the basis of efficient A. euteiches antagonism and rhizosphere competitive survival in an array of novel bacterial isolates covering a range of taxonomic affiliations. Mutant pools of each strain will be screened in growth chamber experiments in which pea seedlings are exposed to the biocontrol strain mutants, naturally-occurring microbiomes from Canadian Prairie pea production soils, and/or A. euteiches. These experiments will yield essential bacterial A. euteiches-biocontrol genes, and thus interpret how taxonomically diverse bacteria successfully suppress the pathogen. The latter information will facilitate the selection of strains that show the most promise for field applications.