Project description
Novel solutions to containing viral diseases in crops
Every year, several billion euro worth of vegetable crops are lost due to viral diseases and the emergence of new viruses in European fields and greenhouses. Furthermore, viral diseases also lead to the extensive use of pesticides, thereby exposing European growers and consumers to pesticide residues. The EU-funded VIRTIGATION project will address this challenge, developing solutions to emerging viral diseases caused by begomoviruses (whitefly-transmitted) and tobamoviruses (mechanically transmitted) in cucurbits and tomatoes in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. The initiative will also take into account the diversity of vegetable cropping systems and viral diseases through focus groups involving extension services, commercial companies and growers to help co-design research activities and mitigation strategies from the onset of the project.
Objective
Viral diseases can cause severe losses to vegetable crop production which has an estimated annual value of 34,5 billion EUR in Europe. Therefore several billions are lost every year due to the prominence of viral diseases and the emergence of new viruses in European fields and greenhouses. Importantly viral diseases also lead to the extensive use of pesticides, thereby exposing European growers and consumers to pesticide residues.
In relation to the work programme, the project aims at developing rapid and lasting solutions to emerging viral diseases caused by begomoviruses (whitefly-transmitted) and tobamoviruses (mechanically transmitted) on cucurbits and tomato in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin as well as at increasing knowledge to better control and manage the viral diseases.
The project is structured in 6 objectives :
1. Knowledge sharing and engagement of stakeholders in research activities (Short term impact)
2. Develop robust diagnostic tests, quarantine measures and identify ecological factors driving disease outbreaks (Short term impact)
3. Understand plant-virus(es)-vector interactions (Medium term impact)
4. Develop IPM solutions (Medium term impact)
5. Pyramidize natural resistance (Long term impact)
6. Train the value chain (Medium term impact)
The objectives will build on 1) detailed study of virus biology and transmission under climate change conditions; 2) development of classical solutions (IPM and natural resistance) to control viral diseases with two distinct modes of transmission; 3) testing novel approaches (biopesticides, biological control, cross-protection) to mitigate viral diseases and to reduce pesticide usage.
In order to take into account the diversity of vegetable cropping systems and viral diseases, focus groups involving extension services, commercial companies and growers will help co-designing research activities and mitigation strategies from the onset of the project.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
3000 Leuven
Belgium
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Participants (24)
Legal entity established in a non-associated third country that is not eligible for funding under Article 10 of the Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020.
560065 Bengaluru
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2280 Grobbendonk
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04131 Almeria
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4362 Esch Sur Alzette
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SE10 9LS London
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28006 Madrid
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08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
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95131 Catania
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6708 PB Wageningen
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6708 PB Wageningen
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75007 Paris
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3020 Herent
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
50250 Bet Dagan
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2328 Hoogstraten Meerle
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
13210 Saint Remy De Provence
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06484 Quedlinburg
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31790 SAINT SAUVEUR
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2860 Sint Katelijne Waver
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29700 VELEZ MALAGA
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41013 Sevilla
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48147 Munster
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80000 Agadir
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1080 Wien
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
26100 Cremona
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