Award details

Global threats from Phytophthora spp.; understanding drivers of emergence and opportunities for mitigation through nursery best practice

Reference	BB/N023463/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Sarah Green
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Mrs Jane Barbrook, Dr Daniel Chapman, Dr David Cooke, Professor Roy Kennedy, Dr Mariella Marzano, Dr Ana Perez-Sierra, Dr Leighton Pritchard, Dr Bethan Purse, Dr Alexandra Schlenzig, Professor Paul Sharp, Dr Gregory Valatin, Dr Joan Webber
Institution	Forest Research
Department	Centre for Ecosystems Soc and Biosecur
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,002,046
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/04/2016
End date	31/12/2019
Duration	45 months

Abstract

This project will address risks of introduction and spread of Phytophthora spp. in trade by examining the distribution of Phytophthoras in water and plant samples collected from different UK plant nursery management systems using metabarcoding techniques. This work will identify nursery practices resulting in the highest density and diversity of Phytophthora pathogens, providing baseline data to facilitate the refinement of nursery 'best practice' protocols. Stakeholder and consumer attitudes to implementation of a UK-wide nursery 'best practice' accreditation scheme and what this should look like will be identified through surveys, interviews and other engagement processes. A cost-benefit analysis of options to change nursery practice and infrastructure required to meet best practice standards will be conducted from different perspectives. To identify future global Phytophthora threats and potential routes of entry into the UK, thus informing nursery best practice and national biosecurity strategies, data will be collated on the distribution, diversity, ecological traits and impacts of Phytophthora species worldwide. Ecological modelling will identify those species most at risk of establishing in UK ecosystems and analyses of trade, unregulated imports and the role of tourism in spreading infested material will identify pathways linking Phytophthora 'source' regions to the UK. To understand better the extent to which hybridisation and other mechan

Summary

This project will address the risks to UK tree species from Phytophthora introduction and spread by; i) examining the current distribution and diversity of Phytophthoras in UK plant nursery systems, ii) providing the evidence base to refine nursery 'best practice' criteria for a UK-wide voluntary nursery accreditation scheme, iii) identifying those Phytophthora species not currently present in the UK but which pose the greatest threat to our ecosystems based on their biological traits and environmental profiles, iv) identifying key international pathways for Phytophthora spread and national points for biosecurity focus and v) understanding better the risk of genetic interaction occurring when Phytophthoras meet, resulting in new aggressive types. To achieve these objectives, the distribution and diversity of Phytophthora species in water and plant samples collected from different UK plant nursery management systems, including those locations considered to be high risk in terms of importing new Phytophthoras, will be studied using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technology. Water samples from streams and ponds in amenity environments will also be collected to investigate the wider distribution of nursery-associated Phytophthoras. This work will identify nursery practices resulting in the highest density and diversity of Phytophthora pathogens and the highest probability of onward spread into woodland or other natural ecosystems. These data will provide evidence to guide the development of a UK-wide voluntary nursery accreditation scheme. Nurseries signing up to the scheme will adhere to a set of 'best practice' criteria designed to reduce the risks of importation and dissemination of Phytophthoras. Feasibility assessments will involve consultation with nursery managers, consumers and other stakeholders in order to identify economic and social opportunities and barriers, and attitudes towards implementation of such a scheme. We will also explore options to promote the visibility and legitimacy of the accreditation scheme to consumers such that there is an added advantage for nurseries to take part. Identifying future global Phytophthora threats and potential routes of entry will be essential in refining nursery 'best practice' and other national biosecurity measures. To do this, data on current known global distribution of Phytophthoras infecting woody species and biological characteristics that may affect establishment will be collated from databases and national surveys conducted in a broad range of countries. Models will identify those species occurring in locations resembling the UK's climate and ecosystems and those species that are ecologically similar to Phytophthoras that have established in Europe, strengthening the evidence base for inclusion of pathogens in the UK Plant Health Risk Register. We will also look at the pathways of international trade and tourism and the risks of new Phytophthora introductions via these routes, identifying national focus points for biosecurity based on a raised risk that new Phytophthoras will arrive at these locations. Pathway analyses will be used to inform nursery managers and accreditation scheme criteria of the highest risk trade practices. Current practices are increasing the diversity of co-existing Phytophthoras in the environment, yet we have little understanding of the potential for new aggressive Phytophthoras to arise through hybridisation or other mechanisms of genetic exchange when new species meet. Whole genome sequences of Phytophthora species will be examined to determine the extent to which genetic exchange has occurred among Phytophthoras and related organisms, and how this might have enabled these pathogens to adapt on to tree species, change virulence or host range. This work will enhance our fundamental understanding of pathogen evolution.

Impact Summary

WP2 and WP5 provide a very strong framework for dialogue and collaboration between researchers, industry stakeholders, policy makers and consumers throughout the project. Three multi-stakeholder workshops (at project start, middle and end) will aim to build trust and cooperation between industry, Plant Health policy teams and researchers. The project will also add in feedback (twice annually) to the Defra Tree and Plant Health Stakeholder/Policy Group. Two-way public outreach activities will include face-to-face engagement with gardening groups and landscaping companies, consumer attitude surveys, the Opal Network and involving online UK gardening forums. The project's Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) will include policy, regulatory and industry representatives (eg HTA, Woodland Trust), providing further links to relevant initiatives. At the project end, a meeting will be held with members of the UK Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce and UK Chief Plant Health Officer on the results of ranking Phytophthora risks, trade pathways and Phytophthora diversity in UK nurseries. Project information will be disseminated at conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops ongoing in each consortium member's active KT programmes, and linking to international projects (e.g. LIFE+ ObservaTREE project and COST Action FP1401). These will reach a broad range of forestry, horticulture and science organisations (including HTA, National Association of Tree Officers, Aboricultural Association, Woodland Trust, IUFRO). A particular strength of this consortium is its ability to fast-track new information into both academic and industry training. Project findings will be published in high quality academic and trade journals (i.e. Plant Pathology and Genomics journals, Horticulture and Nursery Trade magazines). Data will be made available to all relevant stakeholders through open access publication, including a dedicated project wiki/i-share site, CEH Information Gateway, Genbank, Phytophthoradb. In yr3 a collaborative framework for continued development of the accreditation scheme will be established, thus ensuring project impact beyond the three year grant duration.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbiology, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative (THAPBI) [2013-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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