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Importance of root lesion nematodes in German crop production and strategies to breed resistant varieties (NEMARES)
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2281
Contract period: 01.11.2016
- 30.09.2019
Purpose of research: Applied research
Root lesion nematodes (RLN) are important pests worldwide with a large range of host species. They invade the host plant and feed from their roots but, in contrast to sedentary nematodes, they do not induce the formation of feeding sites. After destroying large parts of the roots, they leave the root again. The penetration of the nematodes in the roots also leads to secondary infections by fungi or other pathogens that, together with reduction in nutrients- and water-uptake, drastically reduce yield. These migratory parasites are able to infest a wide spectrum of crops. In the past decade, severe damage in German cereal production has been reported and this pest is regarded by farming experts as a major threat for cereal production. Narrow crop rotation, early-sowing dates, and mild winters which are expected due to climate change increase the damage by this pest. Assessment of RLN in the field is cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover, this pest has been largely disregarded by European cereal breeders so far. We will continue a previous project in which resistant barley lines have been identified and major QTLs for RLN resistance have been mapped. Aiming at (i) the identification of wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes with low infection rates by P. neglectus and P. penetrans and (ii) unravelling the genetic mechanisms for RLN resistance in barley and wheat, this project is structured into four research areas (RA). In RA 1, we will assess RLN infection in soil samples from farmers’ fields using standard and novel technology. We will establish a molecular technique to detect RLN in soil and root substrates which is based on species specific sequences. This technique shall be later employed in RLN tests in the greenhouse. We will perform field trials with selected wheat and barley genotypes in fields heavily infested by RLNs to estimate the effect of RLN resistance on yield and other agronomical important parameters. In RA2, we will identify resistant genotypes from.
In the past decade, root lesion nematodes (RLN) caused severe damage in German cereal production. Our goal is to establish a PCR based test for measuring RLN infections in cereals and to determine the abundance and distribution of RLN in production fields in (northern) Germany. Furthermore we want to select wheat genotypes with low infection by RLN adapted to central European climate conditions, map RLN resistance QTL in wheat by association analysis and identify the genetic and physiological reasons for RLN resistance in cereals. We will also evaluate the effect of the plant microbiome on the resistance reaction under field-like situations.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Crop Protection
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
Participating institutions
Funding institution
Project management agencies
Associated projects: NEMARES
- Importance of root lesion nematodes in German crop production and strategies to breed resistant varieties, Subproject C
- Importance of root lesion nematodes in German crop production and strategies to breed resistant varieties, Subproject A
- Importance of root lesion nematodes in German crop production and strategies to breed resistant varieties
