2026 Translational Team Grant | Kathy Kahn Memorial Award for Translational Wheat Health
Principal Investigator
Susmita Sigdel
Ph.D. Student, Plant Pathology
University of Georgia
Faculty Advisor
Associate Professor of Turfgrass and Forage Pathology
University of Georgia
Research Partner
Pawan Kumar Singh
Global Wheat Program
CIMMYT-Mexico
Abstract
Wheat blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (Mo), is an emerging threat to wheat production. Although this pathogen is generally host-specific, our preliminary greenhouse experiments demonstrated that turfgrass- and oat-associated isolates can infect wheat, suggesting a broader host range and a potential risk of host jumping to wheat. Therefore, it is important to investigate and identify sources of non-host resistance in wheat germplasm to Mo infection. In this project, we evaluate turfgrass- and oatassociated isolates on a diverse panel of wheat genotypes selected with CIMMYT a global wheat improvement partner in Mexico. Microscopy and time-course gene-expression analysis will then be used to determine whether resistant plants prevent fungal penetration, restrict growth after entry, or activate specific defense pathways. The project will deliver a standardized screening protocol, a ranked list of resistant wheat genotypes, and candidate defense mechanisms for confirmatory testing and future wheatblast resistance breeding.
About Susmita Sigdel
Susmita Sigdel is a Ph.D. student in Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia, where her research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, host resistance mechanisms, and fungal pathogen diversity. Her research experience includes the characterization of pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae, investigating variation in pathogen aggressiveness and host responses to better understand disease development. Her current research also explores rust resistance in switchgrass, integrating molecular biology, genomics, and transcriptomics to investigate plant defense mechanisms. Building on her previous work with Magnaporthe, her project funded by the 2026 Global Wheat Health Alliance Seed Grant will investigate cross-host infection and non-host resistance mechanisms in wheat against emerging M. oryzae threats. As a recipient of the Kathy Kahn Memorial Award for Translational Wheat Health, she aims to translate research findings into practical strategies for improving crop resistance and strengthening global food security.
“One of the biggest global challenges I hope to address through my research is the growing threat of emerging plant diseases to global food security. As pathogens evolve and expand their host ranges, protecting essential crops like wheat becomes increasingly challenging. My goal is to better understand plant-pathogen interactions and uncover durable resistance mechanisms that can be translated into sustainable disease management strategies, helping farmers protect their crops and ensuring a more resilient food supply for future generations..”
Susmita Sigdel
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