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New Bacterial Pathogens and Endosymbionts of the Olive Fly, Bactrocera oleae, for the Development of Innovative Fruit Fly Biocontrol Strategies

Description du projet

Gestion biologique des ennemis des cultures pour la protection des oliviers

La production d’huile d’olive joue un rôle crucial pour plusieurs économies du bassin méditerranéen. Cependant, la culture de l’olivier est fortement menacée par la mouche de l’olive, une espèce très proche de la drosophile méditerranéenne et de l’envahissante Drosophila suzukii. Ces ennemis des cultures constituent un danger pour les fruits et la viticulture. L’utilisation d’insecticides chimiques étant de plus en plus limitée, des biopesticides innovants et des stratégies de lutte intégrée contre les ennemis des cultures deviennent indispensables. Le projet OliveFlyBacteria, financé par l’UE, identifiera les bactéries pathogènes associées à la mouche de l’olive. Il s’attachera également à découvrira des souches de biocontrôle qui ne sont pas soumises aux droits de propriété de tiers. OliveFlyBacteria établira un réseau régional parmi les parties prenantes destiné à promouvoir le développement ultérieur des produits pour le marché local.

Objectif

Olive oil production is of strategic importance for most economies around the Mediterranean. One of the main pests threatening olive cultivation is the olive fly. Related insects as the Mediterranean fruit fly and the invasive fly Drosophila suzukii are mayor problems in fruti- and viticulture. Given increasing limitations to the use of chemical insecticides, innovative biological control agents and IPM strategies for these pests are highly solicited.

The applicant has previously established PCR tools for the specific identification of three bacterial insect pathogens that have recently been found associated with the olive fly. During his solicited research stay at CNR-IPSP Portici and planned secondments and short stays, these tools will be employed to explore olive fly populations across Southern Italy for new potential biocontrol resources. Targeted identification will be complemented by novelty-open exploration of olive fly microbiomes. The biocontrol potential of identified bacteria will be evaluated, and transposon mutagenesis together with PTR-MS and FISH will be used to identify virulence factors as toxins or chemical attractants. This research agenda can only be implemented in a cooperation of the applicant with an infrastructurally well established partner in a Mediterranean country as CNR-IPSP.

It is the scientific-technical objective of the action to develop innovative biocontrol or IPM concepts based on the experimental results obtained.
It is the strategic objective of the action:
i) to identify new biocontrol strains not subject to property rights of third parties,
ii) to create a regional network of biocontrol researchers, bio-insecticide producing SMEs, and olive cultivators to facilitate subsequent product development for a regional market, and
iii) to increase public visibility of the action and social acceptance for alternative, not only more ecosystem-friendly and sustainable, but also economically successful plant protection strategies.

Régime de financement

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Coordinateur

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 180 277,20
Adresse
PIAZZALE ALDO MORO 7
00185 Roma
Italie

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Région
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Type d’activité
Research Organisations
Liens
Coût total
€ 180 277,20