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Identification and management of viruses in New Zealand and Germany
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2204
Contract period: 01.07.2011
- 30.06.2013
Purpose of research: Basic research
1. Detection of plant viruses
Both researchers are pursuing complementary methods to identify virus infections. This funding will provide the opportunity to learn the other's methodology, to test the new methods for virus identification in the crops grown in our own countries, and to reveal strengths and weaknesses of each technique. Nanoviruses are DNA viruses unlike most plant viruses which use RNA as the nucleic acid in the packaged genome. The generic virus identification method has been developed to isolate viral double-stranded RNA that allows to identify plant viruses after 'pyrosequencing'. In this case, the method will be optimized for the extraction of DNA for the detection of nanoviruses. We will compare this method with the antibody-based method that Dr. Ziebell is using. Using these two virus identification methods will assess the broad applicability and sensitivity of the generic method and, if required, instigate modifications to identify DNA viruses.
2. Control of plant viruses
Viruses are intracellular parasites and cannot be killed by sprays, although their insect vectors can be controlled by insecticides. GMO technology has provided new methods to develop virus resistant plants. However, Europe and New Zealand have strong public pressure to develop non-GMO agricultural technologies and for fresh produce to have low spray residues. Both researchers are studying separate methods to develop non-GMO plants that are either resistant to or do not show symptoms of severe virus pathogens, a phenomenon called 'cross-protection.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)