A highly efficient and reproducible Fusarium spp. inoculation method for Brachypodium distachyon

Abstract

Fusarium spp. are devastating fungal pathogens which cause significant losses in many cereal crops like wheat, maize, and barley. Genetic improvement of disease resistance requires an improved understanding of defense-associated processes operating in the host in response to an attack by Fusarium spp. Brachypodium distachyon is emerging as a model where host–cereal-infecting pathogen interactions can be studied conveniently. However, this requires developing an efficient infection assay that facilitates quick screening of germplasm (e.g., mutant lines). Here, we provide an efficient and reproducible Fusarium infection assay for Brachypodium. We believe this method will help further develop Brachypodium as a model for genetic improvement of disease resistance in cereals against Fusarium pathogens.