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 Nicole Ward
Graduate Student
E-mail:
NWard@agcenter.lsu.edu
Major Professor:
Dr.
Raymond Schneider
Area of Research:
Research Program -
In 2007 and 2008, we
observed and documented Simplicillium
lanosoniveum as a mycophilic fungus that
colonized urediniospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi,
causal agent of Asian soybean rust. The
mycophilic fungus was shown to be a unique
inhabitant of uredinial sori, where it interacted
with urediniospores in established sori. It was not
found in association with other disease propagules
or on healthy leaf tissue.
In vivo lab experiments resulted in
substantial decreases in numbers of ASR sori and an
increase in the number of brown urediniospores that
failed to germinate were produced in these sori.
Scanning electron microscopy clearly showed a
trophic attraction of S. lanosoniveum to sori.
This year, we are using qPCR to examine S.
lanosoniveum under field conditions. These
field trials will both monitor the fungus as it
occurs in rust sori and quantify its presence in
P. pachyrhizi sori throughout the soybean
growing season. Additionally, field inoculations are
being monitored to examine establishment of the
antagonist in planta. In both studies, we
will determine characteristics such as time of
infection and rate of establishment.
Also this year, we are
using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and
confocal microscopy to determine the mode of
interaction between the S. lanosoniveum and
Asian soybean rust. We will investigate the
mycoparasitic infection process, including mode of
penetration, possible retention or destruction of
membranes, and whether haustoria or enzymes degrade
cellular contents.
Finally, we will
conduct a population biology study by surveying sori
on soybeans and alternative hosts of Asian soybean
rust throughout the southern US. This will allow us
to evaluate the temporal, spatial, and host
distribution of the fungus and examine other aspects
of its life cycle.
Activities
President, PPCP
Graduate Student Association – 2008-2009
Fundraising Committee
Chair, PPCP Graduate Student Association –
2008-present
Planting Science
– high school mentor, 2009
Awards
Funding
Sigma Xi Graduate
Student
Grant-In-Aid, 2009 - $500
Southern Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Graduate Student Grant, 2009 - $9,734
Publications and
Presentations
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Ward, N. A.,
Schneider, R. W, Aime, M. 2009.
Characterization of a co-inhabitant of uredinia
of Asian soybean rust. Phytopathology
99:S138
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Ward, N. A.,
Schneider, R. W, Aime, M. 2009. Uredinia of
Asian soybean rust as a unique niche for other
fungi. Phytopathology
99:S201
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