# Rapid discovery and validation of novel mutations to enhance disease resistance in wheat via a Mut-Ed approach

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Maryland, College Park (MD) · $242,473

## Abstract

Fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to crop plants and consequently, food safety and security. Previously, several years of rigorous testing of a chemically mutagenized population in field and greenhouse conditions identified two unique variations in an elite wheat variety to provide resistance to Fusarium graminearum, the causal pathogen of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease. This project will identify and validate the genomic variations responsible for resistance to the fungal pathogen. To corroborate findings, the project will recreate the variations in another wheat variety using gene editing and study the effects on plant performance. The long-term goal of the project is to investigate and implement novel resistance strategies in plants to combat challenging fungal pathogens that utilize a variety of pathogenic lifestyles. To broaden the impact of the work, the project team will share seeds of the resistant wheat lines developed in the project with interested breeders and geneticists for field testing and potential deployment in crop varieties. The project will train high school students, undergraduate students, PhD students, and postdoctoral scientists with the next generation of tools and technologies in plant biotechnology research and their application to ensure food security. 

This project builds upon a multi-year, rigorous genome-wide screen in wheat to select independent mutations conferring resistance against the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Fusarium 

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2526587
- **Awardee organization:** University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NPU8ULVAAS23
- **PI:** Nidhi Rawat
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT
- **Estimated total:** $242,473
- **Funds obligated:** $242,473
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 08/15/2025 → 07/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2526587

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2526587, Rapid discovery and validation of novel mutations to enhance disease resistance in wheat via a Mut-Ed approach. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2526587. Licensed CC0.

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