Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SuperPests (Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests (super pests) and the diseases they transmit)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-03-01 do 2021-08-31
SuperPests (Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests and the diseases they transmit) is an ongoing project funded within the H2020 topic “Innovations in plant protection (SFS-17-2017)”. It aims to develop and evaluate a suite of innovative products, tools and concepts, and integrate these with existing approaches using data driven mathematical models, to achieve effective and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of the “super pests”, namely aphids, whiteflies, thrips and mites. To achieve this SuperPests develops multiplex and automated sample-to-answer diagnostics (biotypes, infection status and insecticide resistance profile), evaluates biopesticides (green chemistry – plant extracts & metabolites, synergists, RNAi and bio-stimulants), studies host plant resistance to pests and compatibility with biological control, selects natural enemies better suited to certain crops and IPM, and develops predictive mathematical models, iteratively validated against experimental data, to determine optimal combinations for IPM. The successful completion of SuperPests will create opportunities for the exploitation of whole range of multi-actor and multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge translational technologies. The project has extensive synergies with parallel large international programs. The project is coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens (PI John Vontas, vontas@imbb.forth.gr) and will be fully developed until 2022.
The following work has been carried out by the consortium towards the completion of SuperPests’ during the project’s first 36 months:
-Support evidence-based IPM: The SuperPests consortium has identified and validated new resistance markers in different SuperPest species. These markers, along with previously established ones, were used to develop two diagnostic solutions (the automated diagnostics platform: LabDisk and the “high-tech” hypersensitive ddPCR platform) for the screening of hard-to-control pest populations. Knowledge of the associated resistance genotype will help decide which pesticides should, or should not, be applied in order to successfully restrain these pests, and avoid a further spreading of the resistance genes.
-New biotechnology-based pipelines
A virtual insectary has been created. A panel of publicly available transgenic Drosophila lines, has been generated. A a library of SuperPest P450s available for use has been constructed. In vitro assays have been developed and tested.
-Testing of anti-resistance potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds:
The anti-resistance inhibition potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds (e.g. PBO analogues, potential P450 inhibitors derived from plant metabolites) was assessed and significant P450 inhibition was identified in some cases.
-Identify and validate environmentally-friendly biopesticides: Tests of non-conventional chemistry formulations and synergists have been performed, which revealed very good potential for the control of resistant pests. Targets for RNAi-based spider mite control have been. The selection of biopesticides appeared to be safe to pollinators and biocontrol agents
-Analyse pest effectors of plant host resistance:
Two salivary effector proteins and several target proteins were identified. A VIGS construct to the candidate target of P1 has been made ready to use in order to determine if silencing of this plant gene will change the performance of whiteflies. Tilling procedure resulted in two MicroTom mutant lines.
-Enhance the control capacity of biological control agents (BCA):
Inducible plant defences on SuperPests were marked as key. The BCA’s size was associated to the predators’ ability to overcome the constitutive defenses. Plant traits responsible for predator establishment failure were determined. Predator strains resistant to major pesticides, as well as strains tolerant to tomato plants are in development.
- Determine optimal combinations for effective and sustainable IPM:
We developed a web-based app for exploring the dynamics of tri-trophic predator-prey model and tested for general behaviour and for specific pest-predator combinations. With regards to optimal IPM strategies, our results clearly demonstrate that mathematical modelling can provide an important tool to inform on optimal IPM strategies specific to particular pests and control measures. A detailed study on the predicted optimal IPM for a variety of the SuperPests which identifies the optimal way to integrate existing and novel control methods, has been completed
- Achieve knowledge integration:
Review documents on biopesticide pest control options and regulatory pathways were produced. A workshop on on translation research and regulatory pathways for biopesticides took place. E-learning units including a series of quizzes have been produced. Implementation of practice abstracts is ongoing.
-Support evidence-based IPM: The SuperPests consortium has identified and validated new resistance markers in different SuperPest species. These markers, along with previously established ones, were used to develop two diagnostic solutions (the automated diagnostics platform: LabDisk and the “high-tech” hypersensitive ddPCR platform) for the screening of hard-to-control pest populations. Knowledge of the associated resistance genotype will help decide which pesticides should, or should not, be applied in order to successfully restrain these pests, and avoid a further spreading of the resistance genes.
-New biotechnology-based pipelines
A virtual insectary has been created. A panel of publicly available transgenic Drosophila lines, has been generated. A a library of SuperPest P450s available for use has been constructed. In vitro assays have been developed and tested.
-Testing of anti-resistance potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds:
The anti-resistance inhibition potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds (e.g. PBO analogues, potential P450 inhibitors derived from plant metabolites) was assessed and significant P450 inhibition was identified in some cases.
-Identify and validate environmentally-friendly biopesticides: Tests of non-conventional chemistry formulations and synergists have been performed, which revealed very good potential for the control of resistant pests. Targets for RNAi-based spider mite control have been. The selection of biopesticides appeared to be safe to pollinators and biocontrol agents
-Analyse pest effectors of plant host resistance:
Two salivary effector proteins and several target proteins were identified. A VIGS construct to the candidate target of P1 has been made ready to use in order to determine if silencing of this plant gene will change the performance of whiteflies. Tilling procedure resulted in two MicroTom mutant lines.
-Enhance the control capacity of biological control agents (BCA):
Inducible plant defences on SuperPests were marked as key. The BCA’s size was associated to the predators’ ability to overcome the constitutive defenses. Plant traits responsible for predator establishment failure were determined. Predator strains resistant to major pesticides, as well as strains tolerant to tomato plants are in development.
- Determine optimal combinations for effective and sustainable IPM:
We developed a web-based app for exploring the dynamics of tri-trophic predator-prey model and tested for general behaviour and for specific pest-predator combinations. With regards to optimal IPM strategies, our results clearly demonstrate that mathematical modelling can provide an important tool to inform on optimal IPM strategies specific to particular pests and control measures. A detailed study on the predicted optimal IPM for a variety of the SuperPests which identifies the optimal way to integrate existing and novel control methods, has been completed
- Achieve knowledge integration:
Review documents on biopesticide pest control options and regulatory pathways were produced. A workshop on on translation research and regulatory pathways for biopesticides took place. E-learning units including a series of quizzes have been produced. Implementation of practice abstracts is ongoing.
In order to produce sufficient and safe food, the usage of conventional pesticides needs to be decreased dramatically in a short period of time; this is the main driver for SuperPests. SuperPests’ expected results results and potential impacts are:
(1) SuperPests will identify, develop and validate new biopesticide molecules such as green chemistry natural extracts, plant metabolites and biostimulators and biotechnology-based agents with increased specificity and reduced effects on non-target organisms and natural resources.
(2) SuperPests will explore pest effectors that modulate plant-insect interactions, to identify novel biostimulants and/or targets for breeding host-plant resistance.
(3) The project will develop a number of tools and strategies for the intelligent/rational control of the “super pests”, in the framework of evidence-based IPM, to help secure sustainable production of pesticide-free food reducing environmental impact and strengthen the European knowledge-based bioeconomy.
(4) SuperPests will increase food safety by means of experimentally demonstrated reduction of pesticide residues, as well as robust dissemination routes for the acceptance of novel biopesticides and modern IPM practices in the EU
(5) SuperPests will generate knowledge to support future developments in plant protection, for example: (a) Novel sample-to-answer diagnostics for monitoring pest populations, (b) Screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for high-throughput testing of novel lead compounds, (c) Database with valuable information for future development of biopesticides or resistant plants
(6) SuperPests will assemble screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for rapid testing of novel compounds that can serve the biopesticide and agrochemical industry as part of development pipelines or the production of registration dossiers.
(7) The proposed research has outstanding potential to enhance performance and growth of multiple sectors in Europe including increasing Europe’s international reputation as an innovation hub in biopesticide development and biotechnology.
Furthermore, the outcome of reduced pesticide use is also likely to have clear societal impacts, for example consumers would have less concerns about pesticide residues on the fruit and vegetables. Significant environmental benefits of reduced synthetic pesticide use are also envisaged including less use of finite and potentially polluting raw materials, less risk of off-target effects and reduced risk of contamination of water streams/sources.
(1) SuperPests will identify, develop and validate new biopesticide molecules such as green chemistry natural extracts, plant metabolites and biostimulators and biotechnology-based agents with increased specificity and reduced effects on non-target organisms and natural resources.
(2) SuperPests will explore pest effectors that modulate plant-insect interactions, to identify novel biostimulants and/or targets for breeding host-plant resistance.
(3) The project will develop a number of tools and strategies for the intelligent/rational control of the “super pests”, in the framework of evidence-based IPM, to help secure sustainable production of pesticide-free food reducing environmental impact and strengthen the European knowledge-based bioeconomy.
(4) SuperPests will increase food safety by means of experimentally demonstrated reduction of pesticide residues, as well as robust dissemination routes for the acceptance of novel biopesticides and modern IPM practices in the EU
(5) SuperPests will generate knowledge to support future developments in plant protection, for example: (a) Novel sample-to-answer diagnostics for monitoring pest populations, (b) Screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for high-throughput testing of novel lead compounds, (c) Database with valuable information for future development of biopesticides or resistant plants
(6) SuperPests will assemble screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for rapid testing of novel compounds that can serve the biopesticide and agrochemical industry as part of development pipelines or the production of registration dossiers.
(7) The proposed research has outstanding potential to enhance performance and growth of multiple sectors in Europe including increasing Europe’s international reputation as an innovation hub in biopesticide development and biotechnology.
Furthermore, the outcome of reduced pesticide use is also likely to have clear societal impacts, for example consumers would have less concerns about pesticide residues on the fruit and vegetables. Significant environmental benefits of reduced synthetic pesticide use are also envisaged including less use of finite and potentially polluting raw materials, less risk of off-target effects and reduced risk of contamination of water streams/sources.