Grain Farmers of Ontario is proud to sponsor research that led to a University of Guelph discovery that could benefit farmers worldwide. Dr. Manish Raizada, associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph’s lab has found, for the first time that an ancient crop works with a beneficial microbe to protect against a devastating fungal infection, Fusarium graminearum.
Listen here:
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/GFO-comm-10-05-16.mp3"][/audio]
This fungal infection causes fusarium head blight, a disease of wheat and barley.
Dr. Raizada was studying the finger millet plant when his lab discovered naturally occurring bacteria, which protects its host from the fungus. They believe these beneficial bacteria can be transferred to related crops around the world.
Dr. Raizada is sponsored by several organizations including Grain Farmers of Ontario.
A reminder, the call for proposals is open for the Grains Innovation Fund until October 24 and the research call for proposals is open untilNovember 30. Visit www.gfo.ca for more information.
