Projects / Programmes
Raziskave mehanizmov razvoja nekroz na gomoljih krompirja po okužbi z Y virusom (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
Agricultural plants |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.04 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agricultural biotechnology |
Researchers (13)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
Due to the complexity of the research project, that took into account genetic, virological, ecophysiological point of view and use of biotechnology, the results of the project will contribute to new scientific knowledge in the Potato virus Y (PVY) research and resolve problems with potato tuber necrosis. It will complement the research that is currently conducted in this area on the European and world wide level. The knowledge about the influence of high temperatures on tuber necrosis development were upgraded with new data about the permanent inhibition of necrosis appearance due to influence of long term low temperatures. Despite extensive research on virus genome scientists coldn't explain the enigma of necrosis appearance and physiological mechanisms behind it. In the project, the research has been shifted to plant-pathogen-environment interactions (potato-PVY-temperature) and we have showed the importance of those interactions and not only of the virus isolates. The results suggest that standard characterization methods for characterisation of PVY isolates are not sufficient for virus classification, so the introduction of potato plant-virus bioassay of necrosis appearance is necessarry. The acquired data which include virus characterization, study of potato genotype-PVY interaction and environmental conditions will serve as a basis for a model for determination of sensitivity of potato genotypes to the development of tuber necroses after the infection with PVY. Proposed model will enable the study of interactions between potato genome and PV Y on level of necroses expression. One of the consequences of viral infection is the altered expression of host genes. A major challenge has been to identify host genes with altered mRNA transcription profiles and to decipher how and why the changes are initiated. The ultimate goal is to use this information to investigate the functions of genes with altered expression profiles in plant-virus interactions. We expect that these investigations will contribute to the identification of novel candidate genes that can advance potato breeding for virus tolerance and/or resistance. The results will also be important for our future research work in the field of agrobiodiversity.
Significance for the country
Due to the adjustment to EU market the potato production dropped in Slovenia in the last fifteen years, but it started to show a steady growth in the last three years. The research of different pests and diseases increase our ability to control them. We could also decrease the use of pesticides and prevent the polution of the environment. Consequently, quality of agricultural products is higher, which provides better foundation to our farmers to compete on domestic and international market. An important benefit is also healthier food for consumers. A group of scientist who breed new cultivars and test them for Slovenian maket is also a part of research team. The breeding program will benefit from proposed research work with improvement and diversification of breeding tools and procedures yielding better new potato varieties. Potato cultivar testing programme will also benefit with improved system of testing. The use of new domestic cultivars is the only way to maintain the existing seed production system in Slovenia in the future and prevent the complete dependence of the country on imported seed. For all this reasons the results will also be of great importance for the co-funders of the project.
The research of the project group on genetics, virology and ecophysiology is already being conducted in the frame of informal international cooperation and collaboration within different European projects. Since the research results upgrade the current studies on PVY that are conducted on the EU level, there are many possibilities for increasing the collaboration with different research groups outside Slovenia either through joint research projects or multilateral collaboration. Slovenia is unique due to the appearance of the new PVY strain in the last twenty years, which completely destroyed slovenian potato production that was based on susceptible cultivar Igor. This situation called for the need of specific and advanced research. The results of the proposed study will lead to the recognition and promotion of slovenian research in this area and to the promotion of Slovenia as well.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
