14 ERA-CAPS Mechanistic Analysis of Quantitative Disease Resistance in Brassica by Associative Transcriptomics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hertfordshire
Department Name: School of Life and Medical Sciences
Abstract
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Technical Summary
Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) is a major crop worldwide, producing edible oil, biodiesel and protein for animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting OSR production and improved control is an urgent priority. Breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. This proposal addresses the current gap in our knowledge which is the identification of the most useful QDR for breeding.
The first layer of active defence in plants is based on the perception of pathogen (or microbe) associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) leading to PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). PAMPs are essential molecules, conserved in entire kingdoms of microbes, and are recognised by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in plants. Within ERA-PG (PRR-CROP) we developed methods for studying PTI in Brassica crops.
We will identify gene loci contributing to QDR against the most important pathogens of OSR using the novel method of associative transcriptomics (AT), developed at JIC in B. napus by the Bancroft group. Using a 'B. napus diversity panel' of 192 diverse lines we will quantify resistance to the most important pathogens: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We will quantify induced defence responses to PAMPs and measure salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate, and indole metabolites that are implicated in resistance mechanisms. Using AT, we will identify resistance gene loci against multiple pathogens and understand how this relates to metabolite production and PAMP-triggered immunity. We will also investigate glucosinolate partitioning between leaves and seed using mutants of GTR1 and GTR2 transporters and introduce tomato receptor Ve1 into B. napus and assess its ability to mediate resistance against Verticillium wilt.
The first layer of active defence in plants is based on the perception of pathogen (or microbe) associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) leading to PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). PAMPs are essential molecules, conserved in entire kingdoms of microbes, and are recognised by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in plants. Within ERA-PG (PRR-CROP) we developed methods for studying PTI in Brassica crops.
We will identify gene loci contributing to QDR against the most important pathogens of OSR using the novel method of associative transcriptomics (AT), developed at JIC in B. napus by the Bancroft group. Using a 'B. napus diversity panel' of 192 diverse lines we will quantify resistance to the most important pathogens: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We will quantify induced defence responses to PAMPs and measure salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate, and indole metabolites that are implicated in resistance mechanisms. Using AT, we will identify resistance gene loci against multiple pathogens and understand how this relates to metabolite production and PAMP-triggered immunity. We will also investigate glucosinolate partitioning between leaves and seed using mutants of GTR1 and GTR2 transporters and introduce tomato receptor Ve1 into B. napus and assess its ability to mediate resistance against Verticillium wilt.
Planned Impact
Pathways to Impact: Our impact plan for non-academic users and beneficiaries is designed primarily to target those communities that are either most affected by the disease problems or involved in formulating policy relevant to disease management. Light leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and phoma stem canker, caused by Leptosphaeria spp., are damaging diseases on oilseed rape in the UK, causing substantial yield losses. The information gained from the project will help agronomists to make recommendations to growers on choice of cultivars. New knowledge from this project will help breeders avoid breakdown of cultivar resistance. It will also help improve disease resistance rating for the HGCA Recommended List (RL). Results of this project will be communicated to policy-makers to guide forward planning as part of strategies to achieve the government climate change mitigation target for UK agriculture (Food 2030) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved disease control. The project consortium members have a good track record for engaging with all of these communities.
Scientific Impact: Advancing fundamental scientific knowledge. This project will generate fundamental knowledge on ill-defined pathosystems that are of major significance to oilseed rape production in the UK. The genome-enabled technologies are not only expected to ameliorate the impact of light leaf spot and phoma stem canker disease pressure in the UK, but also they will be applicable to closely related disease problems like barley leaf spot caused by Rhynchosporium commune. The techniques developed in this study are expected have a significant impact on UK and international agricultural industries. Results from the project will reach the scientific community, including plant pathologists, agronomists and crop scientists through publications in prestigious peer-reviewed international journals The principal investigators will actively promote the research at international conferences. New findings will also be communicated as topic sheets or posters at agricultural events (e.g. Cereals', field days, road-shows, workshops). Details of the project will be made available through the research pages of consortium members.
Economic Impact: New breeding lines and disease management. UK agriculture will benefit from the scientific knowledge gained through this project. The breeding company involved in the project will develop breeding lines and commercialize cultivars with stronger and more durable resistance. Through participation of industry in the consortium, needs of end-users are better addressed. New knowledge about light leaf spot and phoma stem canker control will be disseminated to the industry primarily through on-farm advisory and knowledge transfer teams and breeder commercial marketing teams, and more widely through inter-linked websites.
Social Impact: Improvement of food security. The proposed study will have a large impact on the treatment of crop diseases due to generation of more resistant breeding lines and cultivars. This will positively affect the UK population but also have implications for the rest of Europe and beyond. Using the results of the project, we will increase the awareness of the problems associated with crop diseases and subsequent food security. This information will be disseminated via press releases into the popular scientific press and through publically accessible websites.
Exploitation and Application. In order to maximise impact, findings need to be translated into practical solutions and placed in the public domain as quickly as possible. The communication and engagement mechanisms described have been developed specifically for this purpose. The involvement of a wide range of partners (scientists, breeders, advisors) will ensure that results are exploited directly in the arable sector of the agricultural industry during the course of the project.
Scientific Impact: Advancing fundamental scientific knowledge. This project will generate fundamental knowledge on ill-defined pathosystems that are of major significance to oilseed rape production in the UK. The genome-enabled technologies are not only expected to ameliorate the impact of light leaf spot and phoma stem canker disease pressure in the UK, but also they will be applicable to closely related disease problems like barley leaf spot caused by Rhynchosporium commune. The techniques developed in this study are expected have a significant impact on UK and international agricultural industries. Results from the project will reach the scientific community, including plant pathologists, agronomists and crop scientists through publications in prestigious peer-reviewed international journals The principal investigators will actively promote the research at international conferences. New findings will also be communicated as topic sheets or posters at agricultural events (e.g. Cereals', field days, road-shows, workshops). Details of the project will be made available through the research pages of consortium members.
Economic Impact: New breeding lines and disease management. UK agriculture will benefit from the scientific knowledge gained through this project. The breeding company involved in the project will develop breeding lines and commercialize cultivars with stronger and more durable resistance. Through participation of industry in the consortium, needs of end-users are better addressed. New knowledge about light leaf spot and phoma stem canker control will be disseminated to the industry primarily through on-farm advisory and knowledge transfer teams and breeder commercial marketing teams, and more widely through inter-linked websites.
Social Impact: Improvement of food security. The proposed study will have a large impact on the treatment of crop diseases due to generation of more resistant breeding lines and cultivars. This will positively affect the UK population but also have implications for the rest of Europe and beyond. Using the results of the project, we will increase the awareness of the problems associated with crop diseases and subsequent food security. This information will be disseminated via press releases into the popular scientific press and through publically accessible websites.
Exploitation and Application. In order to maximise impact, findings need to be translated into practical solutions and placed in the public domain as quickly as possible. The communication and engagement mechanisms described have been developed specifically for this purpose. The involvement of a wide range of partners (scientists, breeders, advisors) will ensure that results are exploited directly in the arable sector of the agricultural industry during the course of the project.
Organisations
- University of Hertfordshire (Lead Research Organisation)
- Grove Farm, UK (Collaboration)
- Agricultural Research Centre (Collaboration)
- University of Hertfordshire (Collaboration)
- Felix Cobbold Trust (Collaboration)
- Rothamsted Research (Collaboration)
- LS Plant Breeding (Collaboration)
- John Innes Centre (Collaboration)
- DuPont (Collaboration)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (Collaboration)
- Perry Foundation (Collaboration)
- Wageningen University & Research (Collaboration)
- Limagrain (Collaboration)
- WOODHALL ESTATE (Collaboration)
- University of Copenhagen (Collaboration)
- British Council (Collaboration)
- KWS Group (Collaboration)
- Grainseed (Collaboration)
- University of Lodz (Collaboration)
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (Collaboration)
- Weston Park Farm (Collaboration)
- Monsanto (Collaboration)
- RSK ADAS Ltd (Collaboration)
- Hutchinson H L Ltd (Collaboration)
- University of Göttingen (Collaboration)
- Syntec Ltd (Collaboration)
- Mansoura University (Collaboration)
- Chadacre Agricultural Trust (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Bruce Fitt (Principal Investigator) | |
Henrik Stotz (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Dewage C
(2018)
Host-pathogen interactions in relation to management of light leaf spot disease (caused by Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on Brassica species
in Crop and Pasture Science
Newbery F
(2016)
Modelling impacts of climate change on arable crop diseases: progress, challenges and applications.
in Current opinion in plant biology
Sewell T
(2016)
Effects of a penthiopyrad and picoxystrobin fungicide mixture on phoma stem canker (Leptosphaeria spp.) on UK winter oilseed rape
in European Journal of Plant Pathology
Cai X
(2017)
Evaluation of oilseed rape seed yield losses caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in central China
in European Journal of Plant Pathology
Karandeni Dewage CS
(2022)
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Resistance Against Pyrenopeziza brassicae Derived From a Brassica napus Secondary Gene Pool.
in Frontiers in plant science
Noel K
(2022)
Influence of Elevated Temperatures on Resistance Against Phoma Stem Canker in Oilseed Rape.
in Frontiers in plant science
Shah UA
(2020)
Mycovirus-Induced Hypervirulence of Leptosphaeria biglobosa Enhances Systemic Acquired Resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus.
in Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI
Huang YJ
(2024)
Effective control of Leptosphaeria maculans increases importance of L. biglobosa as a cause of phoma stem canker epidemics on oilseed rape.
in Pest management science
Bucur DE
(2024)
Azole fungicide sensitivity and molecular mechanisms of reduced sensitivity in Irish Pyrenopeziza brassicae populations.
in Pest management science
Fortune JA
(2022)
Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits the production of sirodesmin PL by L. maculans.
in Pest management science
Richard B
(2021)
Control of crop diseases through Integrated Crop Management to deliver climate-smart farming systems for low- and high-input crop production
in Plant Pathology
Newbery F
(2020)
Inter-individual genetic variation in the temperature response of Leptosphaeria species pathogenic on oilseed rape
in Plant Pathology
Mitrousia GK
(2018)
Effectiveness of Rlm7 resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) in UK winter oilseed rape cultivars.
in Plant pathology
Karandeni Dewage C
(2021)
Interactions in the Brassica napus - Pyrenopeziza brassicae pathosystem and sources of resistance to P. brassicae (light leaf spot)
in Plant Pathology
Shabana YM
(2022)
Distribution and Biodiversity of Seed-Borne Pathogenic and Toxigenic Fungi of Maize in Egypt and Their Correlations with Weather Variables.
in Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Fitt B
(2015)
Arable Crop Disease Control, Environmental Change and Food Security
in Procedia Environmental Sciences
Sewell TR
(2017)
Azole sensitivity in Leptosphaeria pathogens of oilseed rape: the role of lanosterol 14a-demethylase.
in Scientific reports
Jacott CN
(2024)
Pathogen lifestyle determines host genetic signature of quantitative disease resistance loci in oilseed rape (Brassica napus).
in TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik
Description | Phoma stem canker 1. Phoma leaf spot (caused by Leptoshpaeria maculans and L. biglobosa) severity was assesed at the leaf stage in autumn/winter and at the stem stage in summer on B. napus lines in field experiments run by KWS in the UK (Harpenden) in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/20178 cropping seasons. 2. Resistance/suscpeptibility to the phoma stem canker pathogens (Leptoshpaeria maculans and L. biglobosa) was examined on the 80 genotypes of the initial Diveristy Set in controlled environment experiments. The experiments were done using 4 single pycnidial isolates of each pathogen in 5 replicates with 16 control/normalising genotypes, including a susceptible genotype and its Near Isogenic Lines (NILs) with 4 different genes for resistance against L. maculans and cultivars that have been screened in previous field experiments. 3. - Samples of 17 selected genotypes with contrasting defence responses against pathogens that infect B. napus have been analysed for glucosinolate and indole alkaloids by DynaMo Center of Excellence following inoculation with the phoma stem canker pathogens (Leptoshpaeria maculans or L. biglobosa). - NLP genes in L. maculans & L. biglobosa were identified and recombinant proteins were expressed. The proteins were purified and were used to study the NPL activity in planta. 4. GWAS was done to examine associations between gene loci and resistant phenotypes of phoma stem cankers pathogens obtained from field experimets in the UK in four data sets with up to 87 genetypes each in the 2015/2016 cropping season and in three data sets with up to 164 genetypes each in the 2016/2017 cropping season. GWAS was also done to examine associations between gene loci and phenotypes of resistance against phoma stem canker pathogens on the 80 genotypes of the initial Diveristy Set examined for resistance/suscpeptibility to Leptoshpaeria maculans and L. biglobosa in controlled environment conditions. Light leaf spot 1. Light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) severity was assessed at leaf and stem stages in field experiments run by KWS in the UK (Harpenden) in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 cropping seasons and at the leaf stage in field experiments run by KWS in Fehmarn (Germany) in the 2015/2016 and 2017/2018 cropping seasons, and in Einbeck (Germany) in the 2017/2018 cropping season. 2. Resistance/suscpeptibility to P. brassicae was examined on 140 genotypes in controlled environment experiments. The experiments were done in 5 replicates in an alpha randomised block design including 4 control/normalising genotypes. 3. GWAS was done to examine associations between gene loci and phenotypes of resistance to the light leaf spot pathogen obtained in two data sets from field experimetns in the UK and in Germany with up to 79 genetypes each in the 2015/2016 cropping season and in two data sets from field experiments in the UK with up to 154 genotypes each in the 2016/2017 cropping season. GWAS was also done to examine associations between gene loci and resistant phenotypes of the light leaf spot pathogen on 140 genotypes examined for resistance/suscpeptibility to P. brassicae in controlled environment conditions. 4. Early defence responses, associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, were assessed in Brassica napus genotypes deferring in their responses to P. brassicae, in order to study PTI against the light leaf spot pathogen. |
Exploitation Route | Findings can be exploited by the industry partner in the consortium. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
Description | The findings from this award about the nature of resistance to fungal pathogens of oilseed rape are being used by the non-academic partner KWS in their oilseed rape breeding programmes. They should lead to the development of new cultivars with improved resistance to the pathogens studied in this project. In turn, this should need to decreased fungicide use by farmers growing oilseed rape, benefiting the environment and society. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Economic benefits to UK agricultural industry |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Impact | It has been estimated that University of Hertfordshire research on oilseed rape has benefitted UK agriculture by £10-20M per annum. Benefits include understanding to improve resistance of oilseed rape crop cultivars against pathogens that cause diseases that cause losses of more than £150M per annum. This information can be exploited by crop breeders and ultimately by agricultural distributors and farmers. Improved understanding of disease epidemics can be used to improve forecasting of the risk of severe epidemics to guide decisions on fungicide timing. The University has also provided five post-doctoral researchers who have entered the agricultural /horticultural industry (Limagrain, Elsoms, LS Plant Breeding, RSK ADAS, Royal Horticultural Society) on completion of their doctorates. |
Description | Influence on Chinese government policy in relation to import of oilseed rape seed from other countries |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | In response to our work, in November 2009 the Chinese government issued a quarantine measure restricting import of oilseed rape seed to ports in regions without the crop, unless seed was certified free from the pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. This pathogen causes phoma stem canker, a serious disease of oilseed rape. The Chinese decision to protect its crops from this invasive species affected trade with Canada and Australia, and thus to intergovernmental discussions. Our recommendations to prevent entry of the pathogen that have been implemented by China include testing imported seed, surveying crops and training farmers to recognise disease symptoms.Subsequently, recommendations about the risks of crop debris (dockage) in seed cargoes has resulted in discussions between China and Canada, resulting in a high level agreement witnessed by the two prime ministers. |
URL | https://www.reuters.com/article/canada-china-canola-idUSL2N1BY1A0 |
Description | Genomics-led improvement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in mustard rape for economic and environmental sustainability |
Amount | ÂŁ1,764,019 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/R019819/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Institutional Links IL5 |
Amount | ÂŁ106,136 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 332392589 |
Organisation | British Council |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Novel pre-breeding germplasm for commercial development of sustainable traits in crops |
Amount | ÂŁ201,596 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/V01725X/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | Research Excellence Framework |
Amount | ÂŁ1,077,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Department | Research England |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 07/2025 |
Description | Sustainable yield of oilseed rape through improved resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans phoma stem canker |
Amount | ÂŁ95,042 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/N503848/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | John Innes Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | KWS Group |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | University of Copenhagen |
Country | Denmark |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | University of Göttingen |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | University of Lodz |
Country | Poland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Analysis of early resistance against oilseed rape pathogens |
Organisation | Wageningen University & Research |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Uh is a partner in a project led by John Innes Centre, with partners in Germany (univ Goettingen, KWS), Poland (University Lodz), Denmark(Copenhagen Univ), Netherlands (Wageningen). UH is involved in field and controlled environment experiments studying early stage resistance of brassicas against pathogens causing phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. |
Collaborator Contribution | Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) is a major crop grown worldwide for production of edible and industrial oil, biodiesel and protein containing animal feed. Diseases are a major factor limiting production, a threat increasing due to climate change and the imminent withdrawal of agrochemicals in Europe. Improved disease control is an urgent priority and for this breeders are increasingly using quantitative disease resistance (QDR) which is considered broad-spectrum and durable. the consortium is identifying and characterising QDR to the most important pathogens of OSR: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Verticillium spp, Leptosphaeria maculans, Alternaria brassicicola, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and the model pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea. We are using a panel of 192 diverse OSR cultivars to screen for resistance against these pathogens in controlled environments and at field trial sites provided by our industrial partner, KWS. We are also quantifying induced defence responses to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and measuring salicylic acid, lignin, phenylpropanoid, glucosinolate and indole metabolites that are implicated in QDR mechanisms. By combining this data with transcribed sequence information, we are identifying candidate genes involved with defence responses and QDR to the OSR pathogens. We are also studying specific transporter genes GTR1 and GTR2 that control the allocation of glucosinolates to seeds and may impact on QDR. |
Impact | Mitrousia GK, Fell H, Gibbard C, Ridout CJ, Schoonbeek HJ, Stotz HU, Fitt BDL (2017) Potential identification of novel sources of resistance to pathogens in a Brassica diversity panel. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 213-219. Mitrousia G, Huang YJ, Noel K, Stotz H, Larkan N, Borhan H, Fitt B (2016) Effects of increased temperature on B. napus resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 93. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diseases of wheat and maize and food production in Egypt. |
Organisation | Agricultural Research Centre |
Country | Egypt |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The UK team consists of six participants. The PI will oversee the project supervision and management. Another team member oversees the modelling tasks and statistical analysis. Another supports him for the interpretation and model documentation and tutorials as well as data sharing. All researchers will be involved in discussions for mitigation strategies and in the writing of scientific papers. A research office member will help with the UK administrative part of the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Mansoura University will coordinate and manage the Egyptian part of the project. They will help with the data collection and be an active partner in the different virtual meetings during the project. They will also be part of the results dissemination in the Delta area and in the redaction of scientific papers and local recommendations. The President of ARC, will supervise the tasks provided by the different institutes and researchers of ARC involved in the project. The Plant Pathologists of ARC have maintained long-term time series of important crop diseases in Egypt. They provide historical disease data (occurrence/severity, cultivar, governorate as well as yield data on treated and untreated crops) with corresponding weather data and support for the disease model development and validation. Other ARC scientist provide long-term time-series records of wheat and maize crop growth and management data (site latitude and longitude, soil property, crop development, sowing and harvest dates, irrigation, yield) with corresponding weather data for yield model development/calibration. Others from the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate provide weather data. |
Impact | Shabana YM, Ghoneem KM, Rashad YM, Arafat NS, Fitt BDL, Richard B, Qi A (2022). Distribution and biodiversity of seed-borne pathogenic and toxigenic fungi of maize in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Plants 11, 2347 (https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182347). Shabana YM, Rashad YM, Ghoneem KM, Arafat NS, Aseel DG, Qi A, Richard B, Fitt BDL (2021). Biodiversity of pathogenic and toxigenic seed-borne mycoflora of wheat in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Biology 10, 1025. (https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101025) Presentation of results Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Wheat yellow rust epidemics and climate change in Egypt. 2022 North Central Division of the American Phytopathological Society Meeting, 21-23 June 2022, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Effects of climate change on outbreaks of wheat stripe rust in Egypt. The Ninth International Conference - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges, 6-10 October 2022, Marsa Alam, Egypt. Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Impact of climate change on wheat yellow rust epidemics in Egypt. Hybrid Webinar on Climate Change and Dryland Resilience, 3-4 Sept 2022, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Collaboration multidisciplinary involving biologists (plant pathologists) and mathematicians (modellers) |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diseases of wheat and maize and food production in Egypt. |
Organisation | British Council |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The UK team consists of six participants. The PI will oversee the project supervision and management. Another team member oversees the modelling tasks and statistical analysis. Another supports him for the interpretation and model documentation and tutorials as well as data sharing. All researchers will be involved in discussions for mitigation strategies and in the writing of scientific papers. A research office member will help with the UK administrative part of the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Mansoura University will coordinate and manage the Egyptian part of the project. They will help with the data collection and be an active partner in the different virtual meetings during the project. They will also be part of the results dissemination in the Delta area and in the redaction of scientific papers and local recommendations. The President of ARC, will supervise the tasks provided by the different institutes and researchers of ARC involved in the project. The Plant Pathologists of ARC have maintained long-term time series of important crop diseases in Egypt. They provide historical disease data (occurrence/severity, cultivar, governorate as well as yield data on treated and untreated crops) with corresponding weather data and support for the disease model development and validation. Other ARC scientist provide long-term time-series records of wheat and maize crop growth and management data (site latitude and longitude, soil property, crop development, sowing and harvest dates, irrigation, yield) with corresponding weather data for yield model development/calibration. Others from the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate provide weather data. |
Impact | Shabana YM, Ghoneem KM, Rashad YM, Arafat NS, Fitt BDL, Richard B, Qi A (2022). Distribution and biodiversity of seed-borne pathogenic and toxigenic fungi of maize in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Plants 11, 2347 (https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182347). Shabana YM, Rashad YM, Ghoneem KM, Arafat NS, Aseel DG, Qi A, Richard B, Fitt BDL (2021). Biodiversity of pathogenic and toxigenic seed-borne mycoflora of wheat in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Biology 10, 1025. (https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101025) Presentation of results Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Wheat yellow rust epidemics and climate change in Egypt. 2022 North Central Division of the American Phytopathological Society Meeting, 21-23 June 2022, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Effects of climate change on outbreaks of wheat stripe rust in Egypt. The Ninth International Conference - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges, 6-10 October 2022, Marsa Alam, Egypt. Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Impact of climate change on wheat yellow rust epidemics in Egypt. Hybrid Webinar on Climate Change and Dryland Resilience, 3-4 Sept 2022, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Collaboration multidisciplinary involving biologists (plant pathologists) and mathematicians (modellers) |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diseases of wheat and maize and food production in Egypt. |
Organisation | International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas |
Country | Syrian Arab Republic |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The UK team consists of six participants. The PI will oversee the project supervision and management. Another team member oversees the modelling tasks and statistical analysis. Another supports him for the interpretation and model documentation and tutorials as well as data sharing. All researchers will be involved in discussions for mitigation strategies and in the writing of scientific papers. A research office member will help with the UK administrative part of the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Mansoura University will coordinate and manage the Egyptian part of the project. They will help with the data collection and be an active partner in the different virtual meetings during the project. They will also be part of the results dissemination in the Delta area and in the redaction of scientific papers and local recommendations. The President of ARC, will supervise the tasks provided by the different institutes and researchers of ARC involved in the project. The Plant Pathologists of ARC have maintained long-term time series of important crop diseases in Egypt. They provide historical disease data (occurrence/severity, cultivar, governorate as well as yield data on treated and untreated crops) with corresponding weather data and support for the disease model development and validation. Other ARC scientist provide long-term time-series records of wheat and maize crop growth and management data (site latitude and longitude, soil property, crop development, sowing and harvest dates, irrigation, yield) with corresponding weather data for yield model development/calibration. Others from the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate provide weather data. |
Impact | Shabana YM, Ghoneem KM, Rashad YM, Arafat NS, Fitt BDL, Richard B, Qi A (2022). Distribution and biodiversity of seed-borne pathogenic and toxigenic fungi of maize in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Plants 11, 2347 (https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182347). Shabana YM, Rashad YM, Ghoneem KM, Arafat NS, Aseel DG, Qi A, Richard B, Fitt BDL (2021). Biodiversity of pathogenic and toxigenic seed-borne mycoflora of wheat in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Biology 10, 1025. (https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101025) Presentation of results Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Wheat yellow rust epidemics and climate change in Egypt. 2022 North Central Division of the American Phytopathological Society Meeting, 21-23 June 2022, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Effects of climate change on outbreaks of wheat stripe rust in Egypt. The Ninth International Conference - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges, 6-10 October 2022, Marsa Alam, Egypt. Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Impact of climate change on wheat yellow rust epidemics in Egypt. Hybrid Webinar on Climate Change and Dryland Resilience, 3-4 Sept 2022, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Collaboration multidisciplinary involving biologists (plant pathologists) and mathematicians (modellers) |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diseases of wheat and maize and food production in Egypt. |
Organisation | Mansoura University |
Country | Egypt |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our research team will be responsible for modelling climate change impacts and analysis of data provided by Egyptian partners |
Collaborator Contribution | Egyptian partners will be responsible for experimental work and for dissemination of recommendations to Egyptian government and industry. |
Impact | Multidisciplinary, including statisticians/modellers and plant pathologists/agronomists etc |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Developing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diseases of wheat and maize and food production in Egypt. |
Organisation | Mansoura University |
Country | Egypt |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The UK team consists of six participants. The PI will oversee the project supervision and management. Another team member oversees the modelling tasks and statistical analysis. Another supports him for the interpretation and model documentation and tutorials as well as data sharing. All researchers will be involved in discussions for mitigation strategies and in the writing of scientific papers. A research office member will help with the UK administrative part of the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Mansoura University will coordinate and manage the Egyptian part of the project. They will help with the data collection and be an active partner in the different virtual meetings during the project. They will also be part of the results dissemination in the Delta area and in the redaction of scientific papers and local recommendations. The President of ARC, will supervise the tasks provided by the different institutes and researchers of ARC involved in the project. The Plant Pathologists of ARC have maintained long-term time series of important crop diseases in Egypt. They provide historical disease data (occurrence/severity, cultivar, governorate as well as yield data on treated and untreated crops) with corresponding weather data and support for the disease model development and validation. Other ARC scientist provide long-term time-series records of wheat and maize crop growth and management data (site latitude and longitude, soil property, crop development, sowing and harvest dates, irrigation, yield) with corresponding weather data for yield model development/calibration. Others from the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate provide weather data. |
Impact | Shabana YM, Ghoneem KM, Rashad YM, Arafat NS, Fitt BDL, Richard B, Qi A (2022). Distribution and biodiversity of seed-borne pathogenic and toxigenic fungi of maize in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Plants 11, 2347 (https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182347). Shabana YM, Rashad YM, Ghoneem KM, Arafat NS, Aseel DG, Qi A, Richard B, Fitt BDL (2021). Biodiversity of pathogenic and toxigenic seed-borne mycoflora of wheat in Egypt and their correlations with weather variables. Biology 10, 1025. (https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101025) Presentation of results Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Wheat yellow rust epidemics and climate change in Egypt. 2022 North Central Division of the American Phytopathological Society Meeting, 21-23 June 2022, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Effects of climate change on outbreaks of wheat stripe rust in Egypt. The Ninth International Conference - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges, 6-10 October 2022, Marsa Alam, Egypt. Shabana, Y.M., Richard, B., Qi, A., Elkot, A.F., El Orabey, W.M., Elnagar, D.R., Saleh, S.M., Rashad, Y.M., Ghoneem, K.M., Arafat, N.S., Hamwieh, A., Fitt, B.D.L. 2022. Impact of climate change on wheat yellow rust epidemics in Egypt. Hybrid Webinar on Climate Change and Dryland Resilience, 3-4 Sept 2022, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Collaboration multidisciplinary involving biologists (plant pathologists) and mathematicians (modellers) |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Discovery of the genetic basis of partial resistance against Pyrenopeziza brassicae in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) |
Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our research team has provided the Principal supervisor and second supervisors for this PhD project. The work is mostly done at the University of Hertfordshire. |
Collaborator Contribution | Rothamsted Research (Dr Fred Beaudoin) has provided advice and facilities for parts of this project. |
Impact | The student (Ajisa Ali) has presented the work at UK national (e.g. British Society for Plant Pathology) and international (e.g. Brassica meeting, St Malo, France, July 2018) conferences |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | INVESTIGATING MYCOVIRUS-MEDIATED SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE IN OILSEED RAPE |
Organisation | University of Hertfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Oilseed rape, Brassica napus is attacked by many fungal diseases globally, especially light leaf spot (caused by Pyrenopeziza brassicae) and phoma stem canker (caused by Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa). Previously a quadrivirus (LbQV-1) was characterised that infects L. biglobosa, which then interferes with L. maculans pathogenicity. We are screening and characterising viruses in three fungal pathogens L. maculans, L. biglobosa and P. brassicae and quantifying how the host (oilseed rape) recognises and responds to each fungus. Virus-infected and virus-free isogenic lines of the Chinese L. biglobosa isolate (W10) have been revived to do challenge assays in planta. Endemic isogenic lines have also been produced. RT-PCR conditions were optimised, and LbQV-1 specific primers used to confirm virus presence by dsRNA isolation. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the observed phenotypes, samples were collected from different parts of challenge inoculated plants (i.e. stem, leaf, root, petiole etc.) and compared in terms of gene regulation using next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR. Field isolates across Europe were collected and, to date, 48 L. maculans, 63 P. brassicae and 19 L. biglobosa isolates have been screened. Seven L. biglobosa isolates have been confirmed to contain LbQV-1, and one isolate from Canada with novel bands of viral dsRNA. Nine samples of British L. maculans have tested positive to the first incidence of a very large dsRNA strand, yet to be sequenced. None of the P. brassicae isolates from six countries across northern Europe appeared to be virus infected. |
Collaborator Contribution | University of Hertfordshire provides funding for the project and supervision of the student doing the practical work. |
Impact | Presentation at International Congress of Plant Pathology, Lyon, France, August 2023. INVESTIGATING MYCOVIRUS-MEDIATED SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE IN OILSEED RAPE. Locke-Gotel J, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ, Kotta-Loizou I and Coutts R Collaboration multidisciplinary, involving plant pathologists and virologists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Integrated control of Leptosphaeria pathogens on UK oilseed rape |
Organisation | DuPont |
Department | DuPont (UK) Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is a major disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing yield losses > £100M p.a. The disease is caused by two related pathogens that attack in different ways: Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb). Current control focuses only on Lm. Recent work showed that Lb can cause substantial yield losses and is less sensitive to some triazole fungicides than Lm. The pathogen Lb is a growing threat to UK oilseed rape production since no existing methods control it. This project will investigate stem canker epidemics caused by Lb and develop new tools/strategies to control them. To achieve this, we will (1) survey severity of phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Lb; (2) exploit new oilseed rape genomic data to identify genes for resistance against Lb; (3) determine efficacy of new non-triazole fungicides for control of both Lb and Lm; and (4) use Lb genomic information to investigate mechanisms of fungicide insensitivity in Lb; (5) develop new integrated control strategies. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved in field trials and consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, Cai X, Karandeni-Dewage CS, Gajula LH, Javaid A, Li GQ, Fitt BDL (2016). Understanding phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in the UK and China. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 43. Javaid A, Gajula H, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2017) Investigating the risk of severe phoma stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa on winter oilseed rape in UK. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 53-57. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Integrated control of Leptosphaeria pathogens on UK oilseed rape |
Organisation | Grove Farm, UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is a major disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing yield losses > £100M p.a. The disease is caused by two related pathogens that attack in different ways: Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb). Current control focuses only on Lm. Recent work showed that Lb can cause substantial yield losses and is less sensitive to some triazole fungicides than Lm. The pathogen Lb is a growing threat to UK oilseed rape production since no existing methods control it. This project will investigate stem canker epidemics caused by Lb and develop new tools/strategies to control them. To achieve this, we will (1) survey severity of phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Lb; (2) exploit new oilseed rape genomic data to identify genes for resistance against Lb; (3) determine efficacy of new non-triazole fungicides for control of both Lb and Lm; and (4) use Lb genomic information to investigate mechanisms of fungicide insensitivity in Lb; (5) develop new integrated control strategies. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved in field trials and consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, Cai X, Karandeni-Dewage CS, Gajula LH, Javaid A, Li GQ, Fitt BDL (2016). Understanding phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in the UK and China. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 43. Javaid A, Gajula H, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2017) Investigating the risk of severe phoma stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa on winter oilseed rape in UK. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 53-57. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Integrated control of Leptosphaeria pathogens on UK oilseed rape |
Organisation | Hutchinson H L Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is a major disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing yield losses > £100M p.a. The disease is caused by two related pathogens that attack in different ways: Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb). Current control focuses only on Lm. Recent work showed that Lb can cause substantial yield losses and is less sensitive to some triazole fungicides than Lm. The pathogen Lb is a growing threat to UK oilseed rape production since no existing methods control it. This project will investigate stem canker epidemics caused by Lb and develop new tools/strategies to control them. To achieve this, we will (1) survey severity of phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Lb; (2) exploit new oilseed rape genomic data to identify genes for resistance against Lb; (3) determine efficacy of new non-triazole fungicides for control of both Lb and Lm; and (4) use Lb genomic information to investigate mechanisms of fungicide insensitivity in Lb; (5) develop new integrated control strategies. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved in field trials and consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, Cai X, Karandeni-Dewage CS, Gajula LH, Javaid A, Li GQ, Fitt BDL (2016). Understanding phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in the UK and China. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 43. Javaid A, Gajula H, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2017) Investigating the risk of severe phoma stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa on winter oilseed rape in UK. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 53-57. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Integrated control of Leptosphaeria pathogens on UK oilseed rape |
Organisation | Syntec Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is a major disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing yield losses > £100M p.a. The disease is caused by two related pathogens that attack in different ways: Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb). Current control focuses only on Lm. Recent work showed that Lb can cause substantial yield losses and is less sensitive to some triazole fungicides than Lm. The pathogen Lb is a growing threat to UK oilseed rape production since no existing methods control it. This project will investigate stem canker epidemics caused by Lb and develop new tools/strategies to control them. To achieve this, we will (1) survey severity of phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Lb; (2) exploit new oilseed rape genomic data to identify genes for resistance against Lb; (3) determine efficacy of new non-triazole fungicides for control of both Lb and Lm; and (4) use Lb genomic information to investigate mechanisms of fungicide insensitivity in Lb; (5) develop new integrated control strategies. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved in field trials and consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, Cai X, Karandeni-Dewage CS, Gajula LH, Javaid A, Li GQ, Fitt BDL (2016). Understanding phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in the UK and China. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 43. Javaid A, Gajula H, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2017) Investigating the risk of severe phoma stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa on winter oilseed rape in UK. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 53-57. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Integrated control of Leptosphaeria pathogens on UK oilseed rape |
Organisation | Weston Park Farm |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is a major disease of oilseed rape in the UK, causing yield losses > £100M p.a. The disease is caused by two related pathogens that attack in different ways: Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm) and L. biglobosa (Lb). Current control focuses only on Lm. Recent work showed that Lb can cause substantial yield losses and is less sensitive to some triazole fungicides than Lm. The pathogen Lb is a growing threat to UK oilseed rape production since no existing methods control it. This project will investigate stem canker epidemics caused by Lb and develop new tools/strategies to control them. To achieve this, we will (1) survey severity of phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Lb; (2) exploit new oilseed rape genomic data to identify genes for resistance against Lb; (3) determine efficacy of new non-triazole fungicides for control of both Lb and Lm; and (4) use Lb genomic information to investigate mechanisms of fungicide insensitivity in Lb; (5) develop new integrated control strategies. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved in field trials and consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, Cai X, Karandeni-Dewage CS, Gajula LH, Javaid A, Li GQ, Fitt BDL (2016). Understanding phoma stem canker epidemics caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa in the UK and China. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 43. Javaid A, Gajula H, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2017) Investigating the risk of severe phoma stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria biglobosa on winter oilseed rape in UK. Crop Production in Southern Britain. Aspects of Applied Biology 134, 53-57. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Novel pre-breeding germplasm for commercial development of sustainable traits in crops |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The UH team used methods developed in the ERA_CAPs project for reliable screening for resistance which showed wide variation in resistance to the light leaf spot pathogen in a diversity set of Brassica napus cultivars. A total of 195 accessions were tested for resistance against a local population of Pyrenopeziza brassicae. Plants were grown in the glasshouse. Seedlings were spray inoculated with a P. brassicae spore suspension and covered with transparent plastic sheets for incubation at high humidity for 48 hours. The percentage leaf area of sporulation was determined three weeks after inoculation and after another 10 days of incubation at 4C in sealed plastic bags. |
Collaborator Contribution | The John Innes Centre team used associative transcriptomics with the UH phenotype data to identify gene expression markers (GEMs) with expression levels linked to the trait, i.e. quantitative resistance against P. brassicae. Eight GEMs were identified. KWS used these results in their oilseed rape breeding programme. |
Impact | Fell H, Ali AM, Wells R, Mitrousia GK, Woolfenden H, Schoonbeek HJ, Fitt BDL, Ridout CJ, Stotz HU (2023). Novel gene loci associated with susceptibility or cryptic quantitative resistance to Pyrenopeziza brassicae in Brassica napus. Theoretical and Applied Genetics (In Press) Collaboration multi-disciplinary involving plant pathologists and geneticists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Novel pre-breeding germplasm for commercial development of sustainable traits in crops |
Organisation | John Innes Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The UH team used methods developed in the ERA_CAPs project for reliable screening for resistance which showed wide variation in resistance to the light leaf spot pathogen in a diversity set of Brassica napus cultivars. A total of 195 accessions were tested for resistance against a local population of Pyrenopeziza brassicae. Plants were grown in the glasshouse. Seedlings were spray inoculated with a P. brassicae spore suspension and covered with transparent plastic sheets for incubation at high humidity for 48 hours. The percentage leaf area of sporulation was determined three weeks after inoculation and after another 10 days of incubation at 4C in sealed plastic bags. |
Collaborator Contribution | The John Innes Centre team used associative transcriptomics with the UH phenotype data to identify gene expression markers (GEMs) with expression levels linked to the trait, i.e. quantitative resistance against P. brassicae. Eight GEMs were identified. KWS used these results in their oilseed rape breeding programme. |
Impact | Fell H, Ali AM, Wells R, Mitrousia GK, Woolfenden H, Schoonbeek HJ, Fitt BDL, Ridout CJ, Stotz HU (2023). Novel gene loci associated with susceptibility or cryptic quantitative resistance to Pyrenopeziza brassicae in Brassica napus. Theoretical and Applied Genetics (In Press) Collaboration multi-disciplinary involving plant pathologists and geneticists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Novel pre-breeding germplasm for commercial development of sustainable traits in crops |
Organisation | KWS Group |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The UH team used methods developed in the ERA_CAPs project for reliable screening for resistance which showed wide variation in resistance to the light leaf spot pathogen in a diversity set of Brassica napus cultivars. A total of 195 accessions were tested for resistance against a local population of Pyrenopeziza brassicae. Plants were grown in the glasshouse. Seedlings were spray inoculated with a P. brassicae spore suspension and covered with transparent plastic sheets for incubation at high humidity for 48 hours. The percentage leaf area of sporulation was determined three weeks after inoculation and after another 10 days of incubation at 4C in sealed plastic bags. |
Collaborator Contribution | The John Innes Centre team used associative transcriptomics with the UH phenotype data to identify gene expression markers (GEMs) with expression levels linked to the trait, i.e. quantitative resistance against P. brassicae. Eight GEMs were identified. KWS used these results in their oilseed rape breeding programme. |
Impact | Fell H, Ali AM, Wells R, Mitrousia GK, Woolfenden H, Schoonbeek HJ, Fitt BDL, Ridout CJ, Stotz HU (2023). Novel gene loci associated with susceptibility or cryptic quantitative resistance to Pyrenopeziza brassicae in Brassica napus. Theoretical and Applied Genetics (In Press) Collaboration multi-disciplinary involving plant pathologists and geneticists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | Grainseed |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | Hutchinson H L Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | LS Plant Breeding |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | Limagrain |
Country | France |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | Monsanto |
Department | Monsanto |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Strategies to increase durability of host resistance for effective control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape |
Organisation | Woodhall Estate |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, is a damaging disease on oilseed rape in the UK, causing annual yield losses > £100M despite use of fungicides. With recent loss of the most effective fungicides through EU legislation and predicted global warming, potential yield losses will increase. Use of host resistance to control this disease is becoming ever more important. However, new sources of resistance are often rendered ineffective due to pathogen population changes. This project will develop new control strategies to increase durability of host resistance. To achieve this, we will (1) monitor emergence of new virulent races of L. maculans; (2) investigate molecular mechanisms of mutation to virulence in L. maculans; (3) understand effects of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) on durability of resistance; (4) identify resistance genes that are durable by exploiting the most recent developments in pathogen and host genomics; (5) develop new targeted control strategies and deliver them to farmers. Effective control of this disease will save farmers £27M p.a., besides benefits to breeders, distributors and the environment. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are involved with field trials and attending consortium meetings |
Impact | Huang YJ, West JS, Mitrousia GK, Wood T, Bancroft I, Fitt BDL (2016) Identification of novel sources of pest and disease resistance in the UK OREGIN Brassica biodiversity collection. Abstracts. Brassica 2016, 3-7 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia, p. 151. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Understanding host resistance to improve control of light leaf spot on winter oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | Perry Foundation |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The research team at the University of Hertfordshire is leading this research programme. the practical work is led by a PhD student, appointed for 4 years from Jan 2020, with supervision provided by members of staff in the Crop Protection and Climate Change group. All the laboratory work and experimental work in controlled plant growth facilities is done at the University of Hertfordshire, either on the College Lane or Bayfordbury campuses. |
Collaborator Contribution | The student spent the first year of this 4-year PhD project working with RSK ADAS. Most of this work was done from home due to pandemic restrictions. Subsequently, RSK ADAS have been involved in running field experiments for the students. Both RSK ADAS and Perry Foundation attend regular project meetings and HKEP are also represented at these meetings. |
Impact | This collaboration is resulting in presentations at research conferences, for example the International Congress of Plant Pathology, to be held at Lyon, France in August 2023. Offered presentation: 'Understanding Pyrenopeziza brassicae populations for effective control of light leaf spot in winter oilseed rape' by Sapelli, Karandeni Dewage, Ritchie, Fitt & Huang. Collaboration multidisciplinary, involving plant pathologists and geneticists |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Understanding host resistance to improve control of light leaf spot on winter oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | RSK ADAS Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The research team at the University of Hertfordshire is leading this research programme. the practical work is led by a PhD student, appointed for 4 years from Jan 2020, with supervision provided by members of staff in the Crop Protection and Climate Change group. All the laboratory work and experimental work in controlled plant growth facilities is done at the University of Hertfordshire, either on the College Lane or Bayfordbury campuses. |
Collaborator Contribution | The student spent the first year of this 4-year PhD project working with RSK ADAS. Most of this work was done from home due to pandemic restrictions. Subsequently, RSK ADAS have been involved in running field experiments for the students. Both RSK ADAS and Perry Foundation attend regular project meetings and HKEP are also represented at these meetings. |
Impact | This collaboration is resulting in presentations at research conferences, for example the International Congress of Plant Pathology, to be held at Lyon, France in August 2023. Offered presentation: 'Understanding Pyrenopeziza brassicae populations for effective control of light leaf spot in winter oilseed rape' by Sapelli, Karandeni Dewage, Ritchie, Fitt & Huang. Collaboration multidisciplinary, involving plant pathologists and geneticists |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Understanding host resistance to improve control of light leaf spot on winter oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | RSK ADAS Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Our team is providing the Principle and second supervisors for this Hertfordshire Knowledge Exchange Partnership PhD project (student Laura Sapelli). The student will spend one year based at ADAS Boxworth before returning to the University to complete the PhD project. |
Collaborator Contribution | RSK ADAS (industry supervisor Dr Faye Ritchie) is supervising the first year of the project and will continue to attend regular project meetings throughout the project. The Perry Foundation is providing funding (£40000) and will attend meetings annually. |
Impact | No outputs yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Understanding interactions between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa for improving control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | Felix Cobbold Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is an economically damaging disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa. L. maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our work showed that L. biglobosa has an antagonistic effect on the production of sirodesmin PL if simultaneously co-inoculated. To further investigate the effects of sequential co-inoculation on interactions between the two pathogens in terms of sirodesmin PL production, clarified V8 broths were inoculated with L. maculans first, then L. biglobosa sequentially with 1, 3, 5, 7 days in-between, and vice versa. Controls were L. maculans only, L. biglobosa only and L. maculans & L. biglobosa co-inoculated simultaneously. Secondary metabolites were extracted from culture filtrates at 14 days post inoculation and analysed with HPLC. Mycelia were freeze-dried, weighed, and homogenised for DNA extraction and qPCR. There were no significant differences in mycelial weight between treatments. Both sirodesmin PL and its precursors were not produced if L. biglobosa was inoculated before L. maculans; this was due to L. biglobosa inhibiting the growth of L. maculans, confirmed by qPCR. However, the antagonistic effect of L. biglobosa was lost if it was co-inoculated 5 days after L. maculans. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS provides opportunities for field experiments to support work done in controlled or laboratory conditions. ADAS partners attend regular project meetings, as do other partners |
Impact | Fortune JA, Bingol E, Qi A, Baker D, Ritchie F, Karandeni Dewage CS, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2022). Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits production of the sirodesmin PL by L. maculans. Pest Management Science (in press; DOI 10.1002/ps.7275). Multidiciplinary; Biologists (Plant Pathologists) and chemists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Understanding interactions between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa for improving control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | Perry Foundation |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is an economically damaging disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa. L. maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our work showed that L. biglobosa has an antagonistic effect on the production of sirodesmin PL if simultaneously co-inoculated. To further investigate the effects of sequential co-inoculation on interactions between the two pathogens in terms of sirodesmin PL production, clarified V8 broths were inoculated with L. maculans first, then L. biglobosa sequentially with 1, 3, 5, 7 days in-between, and vice versa. Controls were L. maculans only, L. biglobosa only and L. maculans & L. biglobosa co-inoculated simultaneously. Secondary metabolites were extracted from culture filtrates at 14 days post inoculation and analysed with HPLC. Mycelia were freeze-dried, weighed, and homogenised for DNA extraction and qPCR. There were no significant differences in mycelial weight between treatments. Both sirodesmin PL and its precursors were not produced if L. biglobosa was inoculated before L. maculans; this was due to L. biglobosa inhibiting the growth of L. maculans, confirmed by qPCR. However, the antagonistic effect of L. biglobosa was lost if it was co-inoculated 5 days after L. maculans. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS provides opportunities for field experiments to support work done in controlled or laboratory conditions. ADAS partners attend regular project meetings, as do other partners |
Impact | Fortune JA, Bingol E, Qi A, Baker D, Ritchie F, Karandeni Dewage CS, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2022). Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits production of the sirodesmin PL by L. maculans. Pest Management Science (in press; DOI 10.1002/ps.7275). Multidiciplinary; Biologists (Plant Pathologists) and chemists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Understanding interactions between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa for improving control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | RSK ADAS Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is an economically damaging disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa. L. maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our work showed that L. biglobosa has an antagonistic effect on the production of sirodesmin PL if simultaneously co-inoculated. To further investigate the effects of sequential co-inoculation on interactions between the two pathogens in terms of sirodesmin PL production, clarified V8 broths were inoculated with L. maculans first, then L. biglobosa sequentially with 1, 3, 5, 7 days in-between, and vice versa. Controls were L. maculans only, L. biglobosa only and L. maculans & L. biglobosa co-inoculated simultaneously. Secondary metabolites were extracted from culture filtrates at 14 days post inoculation and analysed with HPLC. Mycelia were freeze-dried, weighed, and homogenised for DNA extraction and qPCR. There were no significant differences in mycelial weight between treatments. Both sirodesmin PL and its precursors were not produced if L. biglobosa was inoculated before L. maculans; this was due to L. biglobosa inhibiting the growth of L. maculans, confirmed by qPCR. However, the antagonistic effect of L. biglobosa was lost if it was co-inoculated 5 days after L. maculans. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS provides opportunities for field experiments to support work done in controlled or laboratory conditions. ADAS partners attend regular project meetings, as do other partners |
Impact | Fortune JA, Bingol E, Qi A, Baker D, Ritchie F, Karandeni Dewage CS, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2022). Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits production of the sirodesmin PL by L. maculans. Pest Management Science (in press; DOI 10.1002/ps.7275). Multidiciplinary; Biologists (Plant Pathologists) and chemists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Understanding interactions between Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa for improving control of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape in the UK |
Organisation | University of Hertfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Phoma stem canker is an economically damaging disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa. L. maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our work showed that L. biglobosa has an antagonistic effect on the production of sirodesmin PL if simultaneously co-inoculated. To further investigate the effects of sequential co-inoculation on interactions between the two pathogens in terms of sirodesmin PL production, clarified V8 broths were inoculated with L. maculans first, then L. biglobosa sequentially with 1, 3, 5, 7 days in-between, and vice versa. Controls were L. maculans only, L. biglobosa only and L. maculans & L. biglobosa co-inoculated simultaneously. Secondary metabolites were extracted from culture filtrates at 14 days post inoculation and analysed with HPLC. Mycelia were freeze-dried, weighed, and homogenised for DNA extraction and qPCR. There were no significant differences in mycelial weight between treatments. Both sirodesmin PL and its precursors were not produced if L. biglobosa was inoculated before L. maculans; this was due to L. biglobosa inhibiting the growth of L. maculans, confirmed by qPCR. However, the antagonistic effect of L. biglobosa was lost if it was co-inoculated 5 days after L. maculans. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS provides opportunities for field experiments to support work done in controlled or laboratory conditions. ADAS partners attend regular project meetings, as do other partners |
Impact | Fortune JA, Bingol E, Qi A, Baker D, Ritchie F, Karandeni Dewage CS, Fitt BDL, Huang YJ (2022). Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits production of the sirodesmin PL by L. maculans. Pest Management Science (in press; DOI 10.1002/ps.7275). Multidiciplinary; Biologists (Plant Pathologists) and chemists |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Understanding interactions between fungal pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on Brassica napus (oilseed rape) |
Organisation | Chadacre Agricultural Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our research team has provided the Principal Supervisor and Second Supervisors for this Hertfordshire Knowledge Exchange PhD project . The student (James Fortune) has spent the first year based with ADAS at Boxworth and is now spending the remaining three years doing his PhD at the University of Hertfordshire. |
Collaborator Contribution | The industry partner RSK ADAS supervised the work done by the student (supervisor Dr Faye Ritchie) and regularly attend project meetings to assess progress of the project. The two agricultural charities have provided funding for the project and attend meetings from time to time. |
Impact | The student James Fortune has presented work done in this project at several scientific conferences, both in the UK (eg British Society of Plant Pathology conference, Sept 2019) and overseas (International Society of PLant Pathology Congress, Boston, USA, July 2018). His work is also featuring in a book to be published to celebrate the centenary of the Chadacre Agricultural Trust. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Understanding interactions between fungal pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on Brassica napus (oilseed rape) |
Organisation | Felix Cobbold Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our research team has provided the Principal Supervisor and Second Supervisors for this Hertfordshire Knowledge Exchange PhD project . The student (James Fortune) has spent the first year based with ADAS at Boxworth and is now spending the remaining three years doing his PhD at the University of Hertfordshire. |
Collaborator Contribution | The industry partner RSK ADAS supervised the work done by the student (supervisor Dr Faye Ritchie) and regularly attend project meetings to assess progress of the project. The two agricultural charities have provided funding for the project and attend meetings from time to time. |
Impact | The student James Fortune has presented work done in this project at several scientific conferences, both in the UK (eg British Society of Plant Pathology conference, Sept 2019) and overseas (International Society of PLant Pathology Congress, Boston, USA, July 2018). His work is also featuring in a book to be published to celebrate the centenary of the Chadacre Agricultural Trust. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Understanding interactions between fungal pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on Brassica napus (oilseed rape) |
Organisation | RSK ADAS Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Our research team has provided the Principal Supervisor and Second Supervisors for this Hertfordshire Knowledge Exchange PhD project . The student (James Fortune) has spent the first year based with ADAS at Boxworth and is now spending the remaining three years doing his PhD at the University of Hertfordshire. |
Collaborator Contribution | The industry partner RSK ADAS supervised the work done by the student (supervisor Dr Faye Ritchie) and regularly attend project meetings to assess progress of the project. The two agricultural charities have provided funding for the project and attend meetings from time to time. |
Impact | The student James Fortune has presented work done in this project at several scientific conferences, both in the UK (eg British Society of Plant Pathology conference, Sept 2019) and overseas (International Society of PLant Pathology Congress, Boston, USA, July 2018). His work is also featuring in a book to be published to celebrate the centenary of the Chadacre Agricultural Trust. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | 2. Hutchinsons Winter Farmer Technical Conference 'More Science - more yield', 19th November 2015, the East of England Showground, Peterborough, PE2 6XE. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presented work at Stand at Hutchinson's Winter Technical Conference attended by several hundred farmers and members of the agricultural industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Agri-Tech East REAP Conference Today's knowledge meets tomorrow's technology, 7 Nov 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Attendance at Agri-Tech East conference where one of our students gave an invited presentation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Attendance at AFCP (Agri-Food Charities Partnership) meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Hosted AFCP meeting at University of Hertfordshire, 16 June 2021. Hybrid meeting, c. 25 attendees in person; c. 100 attendees virtually. Management of diseases and pests of oilseed rape. Attended AFCP student forum, Cranfield University, 30 March 2022. c. 100 attendees in person. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
URL | https://www.afcp.org.uk/ |
Description | Attendance at workshop, New Crop Protection for Sustainable Farming, 22 Nov 2022, Rothamsted Research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Series of talks and discussions about funding for crop protection research from UK government initiatives |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Brassica 2018, Crucifer Genetics Workshop, St Malo, France |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | International workshop to discuss Brassica genetics; presented talks and posters |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | British Society for Plant Pathology Presidential Meeting, Bristol, Sept 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The BSPP presidential meeting was attended by a group of staff/students from the University of Hertfordshire. The event provided an opportunity to present our work as oral presentations and posters. It also gave opportunities to interact with collaborators. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.bspp.org.uk/conferences/arms-race-evolution-of-plant-pathogens-and-their-hosts/ |
Description | British Society for Plant Pathology conference, Warwick, Dec 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Attended British Society of Plant Pathology presidential conference, Warwick, with staff and post-graduate students from our group. Posters and oral presentations were made. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Cereals 2015, 10th - 11th June, The Old Rocket Site, Heath Lane, Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation of research at University of Hertfordshire stand at Cereals' 2015, an event attended by thousands of farmers and members of the agricultural industry, as well as politicians, press etc |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | GCIRC 15th International Rapeseed Congress, Berlin, June 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A group of staff/post-graduate students from the University of Hertfordshire attended this Congress and accompanying workshops. Our work was presented as oral presentations and posters. There were opportunities to interact with collaborators from around the world. I was part of the International Organising Committee and am a UK representative on GCIRC Council. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.irc2019-berlin.com/ |
Description | Genetic Improvement Network Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Talk on Oilseed Rape Genetic Improvement Network at Workshop for stakeholders of all GINs, organised by Defra, Feb 22 "016, Norwich |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | International Congress of Plant Pathology, Boston, USA, July/Aug 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an international conference. Attended with other staff and post-grad students from our group. Presented work as posters. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Management of diseases and pests of oilseed rape |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Agri-Food Charities Partnership forum for industry and academics working with oilseed rape. Attendance more than 100, from all over the world, including China, Australia, Canada and several European countries. Held on 16 June 2021 at University of Hertfordshire. Hybrid event with some attending in person and most from all over the world attending virtually. Provided an opportunity for a series of talks and wide-ranging discussion of the research. Book of Proceedings available on AFCP web-site and Amazon. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Management-Diseases-Pests-Oilseed-Rape/dp/B09NRBTPRB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VHCWPOXQ5FNL&keywords=Management+of+diseases+and+pests+of+oilseed+rape&qid=1645545284&sprefix=management+of+diseases+and+pests+of+oilseed+rape%2Caps%2C49&sr=8-2) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.afcp.org.uk/sites/default/files/Management%20of%20diseases%20and%20pests%20of%20oilseed%... |
Description | OREGIN stakeholders forum, Elsoms, Spalding, Lincs, Nov 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting of Oilseed Rape Genetic Improvement Network stakeholder forum, attended by industry and academic members of OREGIN. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Stand at Cereals 2017, Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presented research at University of Hertfordshire stand at this event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Stand at Cereals' 2018, Duxford, Cambs |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Participated in University of Hertfordshire stand at Cereals' 2018, June 13-14 2018. Event attended by 1000s of farmers and other members of the agricultural industry, mostly from the UK but some from overseas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Stand at Hutchinson's winter farming conference, Kingsgate Conference Centre, Peterborough, 15 Nov 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Manned stand to present our research to farming audience |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Talk at event organised by Felix Cobbold Trust, November 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Talk at event organised by Felix Cobbold Charitable Trust, November 2015 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Talk. Arable crop disease control, climate change and food security. 30 Sept 2016; Hawkesbury Institute, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Visit to Hawkesbury Institute to discuss collaboration which is now occurring |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talk; Arable crop disease control, climate change and food security. 28 Sept 2016; University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Seminar at University of Western Australia which we visited to discuss collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talks to U3A science groups in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, Herts, Sept/Oct 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talks about arable crop diseases, climate change and food security to U3A science groups in Watford (60 participants) and Hemel Hempstead (40 participants). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Trustee Director, Perry Foundation (agricultural charity, especially funding PhD studentships in applied agricultural research) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Attendance at charity board meetings (e.g. 30 Nov 2021, 5 Dec 2022), interviews for potential PhD students (e.g. 2 Feb 2022, 26 Jan 2023, at Farmers Club, London), attendance at related meetings (e.g. presentations by students to the industry). Main impact of this to to provide trained personnel for the UK agricultural industry, after completion of PhD (about four each year). Destinations have been plant breeding, agricultural consultancy, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Boiard etc. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 |
Description | Workshop, Egypt-UK Collaboration, Cairo, 22 October 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Workshop held in Cairo, 22 October 2023, attended by members of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Research Centre, University of Mansoura, with talks by a range of UK (by MS Teams) and Egyptian speakers. The aim of the work described was to prepare Egyptian agriculture (specifically wheat & maize crops) for impacts of climate change on crop diseases. There will be a follow up visit by UK scientists to Egypt in March 2024. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |