2026 Focused Seed Grant
Awardee
Anju Maan Ara
Ph.D. student, Plant Pathology
Oklahoma State University
Abstract
Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat. Identification and deployment of resistant genes is critical to developing resistant varieties. Two hard winter wheat varieties, Orange Blossom CL Plus and OK Corral, developed at Oklahoma State University, showed susceptibility to stripe rust at the seedling stage, but stable adult plant resistance (APR) in multiple field environments. Biparental populations have been developed for each of these varieties. The recombinant inbred lines (RILs) will be evaluated in the growth chamber at low and high temperatures against the U.S. race PSTv-37. Multi-environment field evaluations will be conducted in the US and Ethiopia. The RIL populations and the parents will be genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing. QTL analysis and linkage maps will be constructed using QTL IciMapping v4.2. Furthermore, KASP markers will be developed from tightly linked markers to major APR loci in these two cultivars.
About Anju Maan Ara
Anju Maan Ara, originally from Bangladesh, is a Ph.D. student in plant pathology at Oklahoma State University (OSU), USA. Previously, she earned her MS in plant pathology from OSU and BSc. in agriculture from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the genetic basis of resistance to major wheat diseases, particularly stripe rust, leaf rust and septoria nodorum blotch. Through her research she utilizes field evaluations, disease phenotyping, genome-wide association studies, QTL mapping, and molecular marker assay. She aims to identify the genomic regions associated with disease resistance and contribute to the development of improved wheat cultivars. Anju is particularly interested in exploring genetic diversity and understanding host–pathogen interactions to bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and practical wheat breeding. She is passionate about developing durable rust resistance wheat cultivars and contributing to sustainable wheat production and global food security.
“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of stripe rust resistance in wheat and translate these findings into practical breeding applications. Equally valuable is the opportunity to collaborate with researchers in Ethiopia, while exchanging scientific knowledge, and contribute to international efforts aimed at developing durable disease resistance wheat. I look forward to contributing to research that strengthens wheat productivity and long-term agricultural sustainability.”
Anju Maan Ara
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