Descripción del proyecto
Homologar una estrategia innovadora de control de plagas en cultivos de legumbres
La relación simbiótica que existe entre los cultivos de legumbres y las bacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno mejora de manera considerable la fertilidad del suelo. Sin embargo, los ataques de insectos o las infecciones de las raíces causadas por microbios pueden hacer que el proceso de fijación del nitrógeno sea más difícil. El control de plagas tradicional utiliza pesticidas químicos, pero su uso excesivo ha provocado la resistencia a las plagas. El equipo del proyecto TRITRONITRO, financiado con fondos del programa de acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA, por sus siglas en inglés), se ha propuesto poner a prueba un modelo sostenible de gestión de plagas para controlar los patógenos e insectos que dañan las raíces. El objetivo es examinar las relaciones tróficas a tres niveles entre la planta, los microbios y los insectos para lo que se inocularán cultivos de guisantes con hongos entomopatógenos naturales. A través del proyecto, el equipo constatará si los hongos pueden invadir los tejidos de las plantas y los nódulos de manera eficaz para protegerlas de patógenos e insectos, lo que mantendría el proceso biológico de fijación del nitrógeno.
Objetivo
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is one of the key agroecosystem services provided by legumes. Legume crops have a positive impact on the atmosphere and soil quality: i) by lowering emissions of greenhouse gases compared with other crops grown under mineral fertilisation and ii) by supporting BNF to the following crop when grown as components of crop rotations. This results in cost savings on synthetic fertilisers and fossil energy inputs in the system and on tillage, due to improved soil structure. However, factors such as insect attack, foliar disease and root microbial infection have a direct or indirect influence in reducing nitrogen fixation capacity and yield. Therefore, control of root-feeding organisms is essential for maximisation of nitrogen uptake by legumes. Conventionally, agrochemicals have been used to protect legume crops from pest and diseases, but their indiscriminate use has resulted in pest resistance and secondary pest resurgence, and they are detrimental to beneficial organisms for crop defence. The importance of driving reforms in response to the European commitment to sustainable agriculture and food production is directing my research interests towards a long-term mission that enables implementation of a new agricultural concept regarding food production that is safer for humans and the environment. The proposed project will use peas as a plant model to look for innovative strategies for reducing the dependence on chemical inputs, applying cutting edge technologies to leverage the use of beneficial soil microbes in the crop system. I suggest a pest management strategy to control nodule feeder insects by means of entompathogenic fungi (EPF). By exploring tritrophic interactions in plant-microbe-insect relations, this action seeks to evaluate whether EFP inoculated into legume crops can invade plant and nodule tissues, protect plants from pathogens and insects, influence BNF and affect the behavioural responses of aboveground insects.
Ámbito científico
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protection
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturesustainable agriculture
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energy
- natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedslegumes
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
75007 Paris
Francia