Delivering important virus resistance

Lead Research Organisation: University of Warwick
Department Name: School of Life Sciences

Abstract

Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) is a damaging pathogen severely reducing yields of oilseed rape (OSR) (3rd most widely grown crop in UK). UK losses are estimated at >15%, costing £69 million/annum. It also significantly reduces the yield (up to 65%) and quality of brassica vegetables (e.g. cabbage and sprouts).

In earlier BBSRC-funded research, we identified sources of natural plant resistance to TuYV that were effective against the different strains of TuYV.

The aim of the proposed research is to work together with commercial plant breeders from different companies to provide plant lines with our resistances to TuYV and tools (molecular markers) needed for our commercial partners to move the resistances in to commercial OSR and vegetable brassica crop varieties.

The breeding of the virus-resistant varieties will increase yields, thereby helping food security and also reduce the amounts of pesticides farmers spray on crops, in attempts to stop the greenfly vectors spreading TuYV
 
Description Resistance genes to turnip yellows virus have been provisionally mapped in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) and 'cabbage' (Brassica oleracea) and the two resistances were combined in to a resynthesised oilseed rape (Brassica napus) plant line. Work has continued to identify the genes responsible for the resistance, so that seed companies/plant breeders can use these natural resistances in commercial oilseed rape and vegetable brassica crops. When this has been done the virus-resistant plant varieties will be available for farmers to grow. This will reduce their reliance on the insecticides used to kill the insects that spread the virus in their crops and improve food security worldwide.
Exploitation Route There are four national and international seed companies involved in the project, including two of the largest globally. The plant breeders in these companies will use the natural resistances we have identified in commercial oilseed rape and vegetable brassica crops. Molecular markers we will develop for the resistances will dramatically accelerate the incorporation of the resistances into commercial plant varieties. When this has been done, the virus-resistant plant varieties will be available for famers to grow. This will reduce their reliance on the insecticides they use to kill the insects that spread the virus in their crops and it will improve food security worldwide.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Energy,Environment
URL http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/ppj/2020/211-220.pdf
 
Description For collaboration with plant breeding companies. The additional IAA funding obtained allowed turnip yellows virus (TuYV)-resistant and TuYV-susceptible plants to be sequenced which has lead to the identification of candidate genes. This will add to the impact of the research by contributing to the identification of the actual resistance gene, which in turn will accelerate the introgression of the resistance gene in to commercial plant varieties, thereby providing farmers with an alternative to using pesticides to control the virus.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink
 
Description BBSRC IAA University of Warwick BB/S506783/1
Amount £92,000 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/S506783/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2020 
End 10/2020
 
Description BBSRC National Productivity Innovation Fund, Innovation Fellow funding
Amount £10,379 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/T004193/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2020 
End 01/2022