GOENOMICS co-operates with the University of Göttingen
GÖTTINGEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17, 2025
GOENOMICS and the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Protection at the Georg-August University of Göttingen have received project funding from NBank Niedersachsen with co-financing from the European Union to carry out the joint research project PathoGen. The project started on 1 January 2025 and has a duration of 12 months. The project aims to develop a new genome sequence-based diagnostic tool for identifying pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi in soil and plant samples.
About the project
The fungi Verticillium longisporum and Trichoderma afroharzianum, which include both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains, serve as model organisms. These fungi are well-characterized and provide an ideal basis for the development of new diagnostic techniques. The method will identify genetic differences and propose specific primer combinations that enable the precise detection of pathogenic fungal strains.
V. longisporum is an economically significant vascular pathogen in oilseed rape cultivation worldwide. It is a diploid hybrid fungal species with pathogenic and non-pathogenic subtypes. T. afroharzianum has recently been identified as the causative agent of cob rot in maize in Europe. While some strains cause severe disease symptoms and yield losses, others are non-pathogenic and live saprophytically in the soil. By using state-of-the-art genome sequencing, the project aims to develop methods that enable precise differentiation and characterization of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. This will not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also improve our understanding of fungal pathogenicity, contributing to sustainable agriculture and plant health.
Further information and details about the program are published on the website www.europa-fuer-niedersachsen.de
