Project description
New biological control product combats apple canker
The fungal pathogen Neonectria ditissima causes one of the most destructive diseases of apple trees. The fungus produces wood cankers which can lead to serious loss of whole trees. While the EU has made a commitment to sustainable biological methods in integrated pest management strategies, there are no biocontrol products that are commercially available to manage this disease. Instead, chemical control is used. The EU-funded BioNeedit project will contribute to the development of a new biocontrol product to control apple canker disease. It will select potential antagonistic microorganisms against Neonectria ditissima that have antagonistic properties as well as meet the requirements for commercial production, safety and product authorisation.
Objective
Neonectria ditissima is the causal agent of European fruit tree canker, one of the most devastating apple diseases in Europe. This pathogen causes cankers on apple twigs, branches and main stem, which may lead the loss of the whole tree. While chemical control is the essential component in the management of this disease, no suitable biocontrol products are commercially available against N. ditissima. Following the commitment of the European Union to prefer sustainable biological methods in integrated pest management strategies (Directive 2009/128/EC), BioNeedit will contribute in the development of a new biocontrol product to control European fruit tree canker disease. To achieve this objective, potential antagonistic microorganisms against N. ditissima will be selected i) based on the beneficial role of the microbiome found in N. ditissima infected and healthy tissues of apple trees, ii) through a systematic stepwise antagonist screening program, iii) testing the antagonist behaviour of the microorganisms against N. ditissima in a robust and cost-effective bioassay in planta and iv) evaluating the up-scaled biomass production of the selected antagonists. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the selected microorganisms will not only have antagonistic properties, but will also fulfil the basic criteria regarding commercial production, safety and registration of plant protection products, as well as the ecological needs for the applications on the field. This approach will also overcome major constrains in the development of a biocontrol product and will reduce additional costs on its registration procedure. BioNeedit will mean a step forward in my career, broadening my existing Plant Pathology expertise and providing me new training in Biological Control. This project will expand my international network to a large group of active scientists and a biocontrol company that will help me to consolidate a position as a mature researcher in academia and/or industry
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
6708 PB Wageningen
Netherlands