Research
Research area's
The research within the project concentrates on three aspects that are
essential to managing verticillium wilt in trees: (1) pathogen variability, (2)
host resistance, and (3) detection, quantification of the pathogen in plant and
soil, and risk assessment. Within each area the research is structured into
workpackages, each containing several research tasks. The table presents the
Research Areas and the corresponding Work Packages.
Scientific objectives
The scientific/technological objectives
for the three areas of research are:
- To understand the genetic variability of V. dahliae
in relation to its virulence and host range and to chart the distribution of
that variability within Europe.
- To standardise and to generalise methods to select and
screen for resistance in woody species, and to identify resistant germplasm
of important species.
- To improve risk assessment procedures by developing
reliable methods of quantitative detection of V. dahliae in soil
and plant materials, and of quantitative estimation of the importance of
inoculum density level.
An important additional aim of this proposal
is to harmonise methods in general, exchange experience between the
participating groups and continue the successful European co-operation and added
value developed during a concerted action on the same subject (FAIR3 PL96 2015
"Verticillium wilt in tree species: a Concerted Action for developing
innovative and environmentally sound control strategies").
Description of the work
- Pathogen variability. The pathogen will be collected from a variety of hosts and soils and from different
countries. Molecular variation in this collection of isolates will be examined
using molecular markers (AFLPs). Biological characteristics will be related to
molecular groupings. Therefore vegetative compatibility group (VCG), morphology,
host range and pathogenicity of representative isolates will be determined.
- Host resistance. Existing selection and screening methods will be
evaluated and standardized. Using the information on pathogen variability,
methods for screening for resistance will be improved and harmonized. Resistant
selections for olive, stone fruits, and maple will be obtained. Verticillium
resistance genes will be identified and isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana.
This will provide new possibilities to develop resistance in tree species in
which so far no sources of resistance have been found.
- Detection and risk assessment. Methods to quantify Verticillium
dahliae in soil and to detect the pathogen in plant material will be
optimized and harmonized. Risk assessments will be based on the relation between
inoculum density and disease incidence/severity for different pathotypes.
Information on pathogen variability will be used in host resistance work and
detection and risk assessment. For risk assessment, information on the
availability of host resistance is also necessary. All research areas aim to
harmonize methodologies among the partners. This will be achieved by exchanging
methods and materials (probes, germplasms, protocols), by interlaboratory
comparisons of protocols, and by workshops and bilateral meetings. Annual
general meetings attended by all participants will be organized to discuss
results and to monitor progress of the project.
Last
updated 17/01/2003