The soilborne mosaic in wheat is a viral disease whose negative effects on wheat production have become more frequent in several wheat regions in southern Brazil. This disease can reduce productivity by 50% if susceptible cultivars are sown in areas with inoculum and favorable environment conditions. In Brazil, the common mosaic is attributed to Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) and also to Wheat spindle streak virus (WSSMV), both transmitted by Polymyxa graminis, plasmodioforomiceto inhabitant of the soil. The objective of this project is to determine the genetic-molecular variability of the viral population and the efficiency of genetic, chemical and cultural strategies for the management of soil borne wheat mosaic. In order to reach the objective, this research approaches this patosystem in two aspects: variability of the viral population and its effects on the resistance of wheat cultivars; and effectiveness and efficiency of management practices in reducing the disease.

As a strategy for action, the project was structured in a multi-institutional way, combining public and private research companies (which account for more than 90% of the wheat cultivar market in Brazil), research foundations linked to agribusiness e universities. The sequencing based on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and analysis of the variability of the viral population are being carried out at UDESC (State University of Santa Catarina), with the support of Embrapa Uva e Vinho and Embrapa Informática Agropecuária. The phenotypic characterization, analysis of the viral population and evaluation of the management practices is being done in a network of field trials in the wheat regions of Southern Brazil, executed by Embrapa Trigo, Biotrigo Genética, CCGL Tecnologia, OR Melhoramento de Sementes and Fundação ABC.