Objective Parasitic weeds from the genus Orobanche considerably damage crop plants due to withdrawal of water, minerals and carbohydrates. The growth of the hosts is retarded and yield losses range from 5 to 100%. The proposed project is dealing with tritrophic aspects of the host-plant selection by the oligophagous fly Phytomyza orobanchia, a natural enemy of Orobanche species. The novel aspect and the main objective of the project is isolation and identification of Orobanche volatiles and Orobanche-induced host plant volatiles that attract P. orobanchia to its host, Orobanche spp. In order to address this problem, we will collect headspace volatiles of vegetative as well as flowering Orobanche spp. alone, of its hosts and of the combination of host and Orobanche. The headspace samples will be analysed using GC-MS and used for the identification of insect-behaviour-effecting compounds using GC-EAG analyses and flight tunnel experiments. The effectiveness of selected volatiles will be tested in field experiments. The results of this work are expected to improve the efficacy of biological control of Orobanche spp. e.g. through positive effects of selected kairomones on the efficacy of P. orobanchia; increased attraction to its host, mass trapping and redistribution and attraction of flies to use them as vectors of disease into the Orobanche population. The host institution will be Wageningen University (Wageningen, The Netherlands). The total duration of the proposed project will be 24 months through 2008-2010. The project will help, through the fellow, to join multidisciplinary knowledge in the research field. The training and new skills obtained will make the applicant more competitive, will enable him to extent his knowledge and will give the researcher the boost he needs to reach professional independence. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydratesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Keywords Agromyzidae Diptera Entomology GC GC-MS Orobanche spp Phytomyza orobanchia Plant biochemistry Plant pests chemical ecology host-plant selection plant volatiles tritrophic interactions Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY EU contribution € 166 563,13 Address DROEVENDAALSESTEEG 4 6708 PB Wageningen Netherlands See on map Region Oost-Nederland Gelderland Veluwe Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Harro Bouwmeester (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
