Themes

The project is organized into four themes:

• Theme 1 addresses several critical knowledge gaps in management practices, and serves as the mechanism to assemble and deliver (extension activities) new strategies and tools created during this project.
• Theme 2 focuses on developing next-generation biocontrol strains that are regionally adapted and more sustainable.
• Theme 3 will develop biomarkers that predict stress-induced susceptibility to mycotoxin contamination. RNAi technology, high-throughput sequencing, and novel computational approaches for selection of gene targets will be used to expand available traits for integration into commercial corn hybrids.
• Theme 4 will measure economic benefits and risks to growers and end users.