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- >5. Against pathogens transmitted by/to seeds
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Biocontrol agents that block the adaptive mechanisms of pathogens
Phytopathogenic agents face special conditions during their transmission through seeds: chemical stress and physical stress.
Chemical stresses
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Defense metabolites (phytoalexins…), ROS |
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Adptive response of the pathogen: detoxification, wall strengthening andphytoalexin |
Recent results:
- Identification of a phytopathogenic fungal response mechanism to phytoalexins: reinforcement of the fungus wall,
- Discovery of "sensitins", molecules inhibiting the strengthening of fungal walls (IRHS-SONAS patent, 2014).
Potential benefit:
Using sensitins for the treatment of seeds and seedlings, in synergy with plant resistance inducers (PRIs).
Physical stresses
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Water and osmotic stress due to seed drying. |
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Adaptive response of the pathogen: accumulation of Dehydrin like proteins (DLP).
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Recent results:
FUNHY project (2014-2016) – funded by RFI Objectif Végétal
associated with the thesis of Guillaume N'Guyen (2012-2015).
Identification of 2 response mechanisms of phytopathogenic fungi to water stress:
- The formation of eisosomes
- The production of hydrophilins
Nemofy project including the thesis of Justine Colou (2016-2019) – funded by RFI Objectif Végétal
Study of the molecular factors involved in the transmission of phytopathogenic fungi to seeds (focus on eisosomes).
Potential benefit:
Develop strategies to inhibit this adaptive response of the pathogenic fungus.
Thomas Guillemette
thomas.guillemette @ univ-angers.fr
Biocontrol agents antagonistic to phytopathogenic agents
NABUCO project (2014-2016)– funded by the French Ministery of Agriculture
Identification of aggressive marine micro-organisms with phytopathogenic fungi.
Potential benefit:
Use these antagonistic agents in biological control on plants and seeds.
Thomas Guillemette
thomas.guillemette @ univ-angers.fr
The microbiota of seeds, a biodiversity to be exploited
Microbial communities associated with seeds interfere with the transmission of pathogens.
Recent results:
MetaSEED project (2014-2016) IRHS – HM Clause – Vilmorin – funded by Région Pays de la Loire
associated with the thesis of Samir Rezki (2014-2017)
Unlike the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicicola, the phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris has no significant effect on the composition of the seed microbiota.
Potential benefit:
Identify populations that can compete with phytopathogenic agents for use as biocontrol agents.
The genotype of the plant does not significantly influence the composition of microbial communities. On the other hand, the work showed an effect of the production area on the composition of the microbiota.
→ The genotype of the host plant does not seem to be a good lever to play on the compositions of the seed microbioal communities.
Mathieu Barret
matthieu.barret @ inra.fr
Where and when to bring the treatment ?
What are the factors, in the plant and the fungus, that control the transmission of the phytopathogenic fungus from the seed to the seedling?
→ Patharaseed project (2014-2016) including the thesis of Elodie Belmas (2014-2017) – funded by Un. of Angers
Pathosystem model: Arabidopsis thaliana - Alternaria brassicicola.
- To identify, by transcriptomic studies, the stages of germination where the seedling defends iitself most and where the fungus is the most aggressive.
Potential benefit:
Helping agro-suppliers develop more efficient products and apply them at the right time to reduce doses of treatments.
Philippe Grappin
philippe.grappin @ agrocampus-ouest.fr
Health and germination, a compromise to be found!
XanthoMed project (2015-2016) – funded by INRA
The seeds possess defense capacities against phytopathogenic agents. These defensive mechanisms vary from genotype to genotype, and can impact the acquisition of their germinative quality during their maturation phase.
BASIS project (2017-2018) – funded by RFI Objectif Végétal
- Identify seed defense mechanisms,
- Understand the physiological and molecular effects of these mechanisms on the germinative quality of the seeds.
Potential benefit:
To obtain seeds capable of defending against the phytopathogenic agents while minimizing the loss of germinative quality.
Jérôme Verdier
jerome.verdier @ inra.fr
Contacts
Looking for partners?
Two contacts to support your projects:
- Aurore Gautier,
contact to support your R&D projects land to put you through
aurore.gauthier @ vegepolys.eu
- Tanegmart Redjala,
close interface with the laboratories of the Research Federative Structure Quasav.
