DEVELOPMENT OF MOLECULAR MARKERS For early identification of blister bight resistant or susceptibility, a PCR based DNA marker development study has been initiated in tea. This DNA marker will enable us in selecting blister blight resistant/ susceptible plants.

PHYLOGENY OF BLISTER BLIGHT PATHOGEN Blister blight is an important fungal disease of tea caused by the fungus, Exobasidium vexans. The disease is present in all the tea growing regions of south India and causes a substantial crop loss. We are studying the genetic diversity of this pathogenic fungus through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The study shows wide genetic variations among the samples collected from different tea growing regions of south India

PATHOGENESIS RELATED PROTEINS Several classes of proteins called pathogenesis related (PR) proteins are induced in response to the infection of plants with pathogen. We are studying the induction of PR protein due to blister blight infection. The specific PR protein formed will be isolated and sequenced. The study will help in identifying the gene related to blister blight resistance.