Increasing abiotic (drought) and biotic (clubroot) resistance in Brassica species (Arabidopsis and Canola) by modifying auxin response

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Clubroot is a serious soilborne disease of canola crops. It was first detected in Alberta in 2003, and it spread quickly from just 12 field infestations in 2003 to more than 2,700 infested fields by the end of 2017. Infection by the clubroot pathogen results in the development of tumor-like root galls. These galls reduce water and nutrient uptake by the affected plants, greatly reducing the yield and quality of canola crops. In some heavily infested fields, the crop yield loss was 100%. Clubroot also appears to be moving into Saskatchewan and was confirmed in commercial canola fields in 2017, and it is increasing in Manitoba, underscoring the threat posed by this disease across the Prairies. There are number of possible reasons for the increasing prevalence of clubroot, including short rotations, but also climate change (increased soil temperatures may be more optimal for pathogen development). To date, the most effective management strategy has been the planting of clubroot resistant canola varieties. Unfortunately, new strains of the pathogen have emerged recently which can overcome this resistance. Therefore, an integrated approach to clubroot management is needed that integrates genetic resistance with finely-tuned agronomic practices. The proposed project will take a novel genetic approach, which rather than relying on traditional 'major gene' resistance to disease, aims to increase abiotic (drought) and biotic (clubroot) resistance in canola by modifying its auxin response. Preliminary work in our labs suggests that gall development can be suppressed by modulating auxin signaling in canola and Arabidopsis. This modulation may in turn activate stress-response pathways, making the plants more resistant to both water stress and clubroot development. There may also be synergistic effects, since the clubroot infection also causes water stress, as the roots are no longer able to take up sufficient water from the soil. Research to mitigate the serve potential risks of clubroot infection and drought stress associated with climate change is needed to provide tools to help maintain the global presence and influence of the Canadian canola producers.