Abstract:

As far as the worldwide problem of the use of toxic chemicals to control soil-borne pests is concerned, no adequate durable alternative exists for major European arable crops. The project aims to contribute to sustainable production systems by developing a durable resistance management strategy. The Q-organisms Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax will be used as a model, as they are an economic threat. The objective will be achieved by integrating expertise in breeding, nematology, botany and molecular biology, novel by its European dimension. The work includes: identification and incorporation of resistance in important arable crops, study of the durability of the resistance, and optimising of production systems by rotation schemes. Main results are: resistant germplasm, characterised pathogen isolates, reliable selection methods/tools, knowledge on resistance stability, molecular markers, genetic maps, and advice on improved rotations.

Objectives:

The proposal’s main objective is to combat a major European problem, namely the use of highly poisonous chemicals in the control of soil-borne pests. Therefore, tools and strategies for introduction and management of a durable plant resistance to soil-borne pests will be developed and disseminated, using the quarantine nematodes M. chitwoodi and M. fallax as a model. Tools will be developed for such a resistance management, by developing techniques and strategies to identify durable resistance genes in host plants and (a)virulence genes in M. chitwoodi and M. fallax. Investigating rotations of the susceptible potato with resistant plants of Italian rye grass and fodder radish will optimise sustainable production systems. The durable resistance will serve as an effective and environmentally sound control measure against the damaging effects of both nematodes. This will contribute to a sustainable agriculture and a healthy environment, because it will make the treatment of these soil-borne pests less dependent on poisonous chemicals.

Contacts

Coordinator

• J G (Hans) van der BEEK / Plant Research International B.V. NETHERLANDS

EC Scientific Officer

• Massimo BURIONI / European Commission Theme 1 Key Action 5.1.1 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Evert BROMMER / Applied Research For Arable Farming and Field Production of Vegetables / NETHERLANDS
• Laurens BEEREPOOT / Barenbrug Holding BV NETHERLANDS
• Joke KLAP / Barenburg Research NETHERLANDS
• Didier MUGNIERY / INRA - Laboratoire de Recherches de la Chaire de Zoologie de l'ENSA de Rennes / FRANCE
• Daniel ELLISSECHE / INRA - Unite d'Amelioration de la Pomme de Terre et des plantes a bulbes / FRANCE
• Patrick SIGNORET / INRA - Unite d'Amelioration des Plants Maraicheres FRANCE
• Michaela SCHLATHOLTER / P.H. Petersen Saatzucht Lundsgaard Streihmuhlerst / GERMANY
• John JONES / Scottish Crop Research Institute Nematology Department / UNITED KINGDOM
• Phillipe CASTAGNONE-SERENO / Unite de Recherche Sante Vegetale et Environnement FRANCE
• Jaap BAKKER / Wageningen University Laboratory of Nematology / NETHERLANDS
• Wladyslaw GOLINOWSKI / Warsaw Agricultural University Department of Botany (SGGW) / POLAND