Genes identified to protect brassicas from damaging disease
Scientists have identified a new way to breed brassicas, which include oilseed rape, mustard seed (biofuel crops), broccoli and cabbage, resistant to a damaging virus. Their discovery has characterised a form of resistance that appears to be durable, broad-spectrum and unlikely to be overcome by the virus over time. Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is an economically devastating virus that infects a wide range of cultivated plants, but especially brassicas.
In research published in the Journal of General Virology, scientists at Warwick HRI and collaborators have identified genes that confer resistance to the virus and, crucially, as multiple genes are involved, provide resistance that the virus appears not to have been able to evolve to overcome.
The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and others, could have important broader implications for plant breeders and farmers as TuMV is a member of the Potyvirus family - the biggest family of viruses that attack plants - and an important model for understanding other viruses.
The Warwick HRI scientists have examined a number of types of genes that determine plant responses to virus attack. One response is for the plant to kill off individual cells if they become infected, thereby restricting the viral infection to a very localised area of the plant. Another response is to restrict virus movement within the plant and stop its spread from leaf to leaf. The researchers have identified a number of genes that appear to not allow any replication of the virus in plants when it is introduced into the plant.
energy :: sustainability ::biodiesel :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: rapeseed :: phytopathology :: biotechnology :: genetics :: plant breeding ::
Professor Simon Bright, Director of Warwick HRI, commented said this research demonstrates the importance of centres such as Warwick HRI in linking fundamental bioscience to developments that benefit growers and consumers:
References:
Rachel L. Rusholme, Erin E. Higgins, John A. Walsh and Derek J. Lydiate, "Genetic control of broad-spectrum resistance to turnip mosaic virus in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage)", J Gen Virol 88 (2007), 3177-3186; DOI 10.1099/vir.0.83194-0
AlphaGalileo: Genes identified to protect brassicas from damaging disease - November 1, 2007.
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In research published in the Journal of General Virology, scientists at Warwick HRI and collaborators have identified genes that confer resistance to the virus and, crucially, as multiple genes are involved, provide resistance that the virus appears not to have been able to evolve to overcome.
The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and others, could have important broader implications for plant breeders and farmers as TuMV is a member of the Potyvirus family - the biggest family of viruses that attack plants - and an important model for understanding other viruses.
The Warwick HRI scientists have examined a number of types of genes that determine plant responses to virus attack. One response is for the plant to kill off individual cells if they become infected, thereby restricting the viral infection to a very localised area of the plant. Another response is to restrict virus movement within the plant and stop its spread from leaf to leaf. The researchers have identified a number of genes that appear to not allow any replication of the virus in plants when it is introduced into the plant.
Turnip mosaic virus can cause big economic losses for farmers. We have identified multiple genes that give some varieties of brassica resistance to the virus. By breeding these genes into commercial varieties of the crop, using conventional techniques, breeders can protect them from attack. But most importantly, we have identified broad-spectrum resistance provided by a number of genes. This means we potentially have the means to develop brassicas, such as broccoli, that will be robust enough to prevent the virus mutating to overcome the resistance. -The Brassica genus of plants is remarkable for containing more important agricultural and horticultural crops than any other genus. It includes over 30 wild species and hybrids, and numerous additional cultivars and hybrids of cultivated origin. Most are annuals or biennials, but some are small shrubs. Several brassicas, like Brassica napus (rapeseed, canola) and different species of mustard seed (Brassica nigra, Brassica juncea and Brassica hirta/Sinapis alba) are biofuel crops used for the production of biodiesel.
Dr John Walsh, research group leader
energy :: sustainability ::biodiesel :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: rapeseed :: phytopathology :: biotechnology :: genetics :: plant breeding ::
Professor Simon Bright, Director of Warwick HRI, commented said this research demonstrates the importance of centres such as Warwick HRI in linking fundamental bioscience to developments that benefit growers and consumers:
In the three years since we transferred to become part of the University of Warwick, Warwick HRI has built on its core strengths in horticulture and is now at the forefront of efforts, such as the BBSRC Crop Science Initiative, to turn excellent plant science in to real benefits for crop production. - Simon Bright, Director of Warwick HRIDr Walsh's team has recently been awarded more funding by BBSRC under its Crop Science Initiative to take this research further.
References:
Rachel L. Rusholme, Erin E. Higgins, John A. Walsh and Derek J. Lydiate, "Genetic control of broad-spectrum resistance to turnip mosaic virus in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage)", J Gen Virol 88 (2007), 3177-3186; DOI 10.1099/vir.0.83194-0
AlphaGalileo: Genes identified to protect brassicas from damaging disease - November 1, 2007.
Article continues
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Researchers: bureaucracy threatens development of sustainable biopesticides
One of the areas in which significant progress has been made towards more environmentally friendly agriculture is in the development of integrated pest management by means of biopesticides - green pest control methods using natural predators such as insects, fungi and bacteria. But researchers at a University of Warwick conference warned yesterday that one of the leading developers - the United Kingdom - could throw away a lead in biopesticides because of outmoded styles of regulation.
Biopesticides are the subject of a conference for scientists and industry experts being held at the University of Warwick this week, titled ‘Biopesticides, the Regulatory Challenge’.
Professor Wyn Grant has led a three-year project with researchers at Warwick HRI looking at biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. He said globally the biopesticides market is worth €158 million. The European market has doubled in size in recent years, but the EU can only meet 45 percent of the demand for biopesticides.
As consumers ask for greener alternatives, and as organo-phosphates are phased out, older pesticide licences are not being renewed. This is creating a growing market for green alternatives such as biopesticides. Sadly, says Grant, even though the UK is one of Europe’s main players in this market, it could easily loose its first-mover advantage if red-tape slows the sector down.
The researchers’ warning follows a European Parliament debate last week (24 October 2007) which rejected proposals to improve the regulation of biopesticides by creating regional eco-zones:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: agriculture :: biopesticides :: integrated pest management :: EU ::
Professor Grant added that Britain's Pesticide Safety Directorate has been an innovative regulator by setting up a special Biopesticides Scheme, but that these efforts could be undermined by not getting the right arrangements in place across the EU.
According to Grant, the European Parliament voted on new regulations on pesticides and missed an opportunity to promote safer alternatives to chemical products.
The conference is sponsored by the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme (RELU) and AgraQuest, a biotechnology company that focuses on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing effective, safe and environmentally friendly natural pest management products.
Picture: Transverse ladybird feeding on citrus aphids. Courtesy: Dan Papacek, Bugs for Bugs.
References:
University of Warwick: Bureaucracy threatens farmers’ green revolution - October 31, 2007.
University of Warwick: 'Biological Alternatives to Chemical Pesticide Inputs in the Food Chain: an Assessment of Environmental and Regulatory Sustainability' - Project webpage.
European Parliament: Bringing pesticides legislation into the 21st century - October 18, 2007.
Biological Alternatives to Chemical Pesticide Inputs in the Food Chain: an Assessment of Environmental and Regulatory Sustainability': Design Principles for a Better Regulatory System for Biopesticides [*.doc], s.d.
Biological Alternatives to Chemical Pesticide Inputs in the Food Chain: an Assessment of Environmental and Regulatory Sustainability':Benefits and Costs of Biopesticides in Terms of their Contribution to Sustainability [*.doc], s.d. [2007].
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