Award details

Establishing the role of IAA and related plant indole compounds in nematode infection

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004994
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Peter Hedden
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Rosane Curtis
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	137,445
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	05/01/2009
End date	04/01/2012
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes are major constraints for crop productivity worldwide and significantly reduce resource use efficiency causing yield reductions valued at 100 billion dollars each year despite control measures. Most control strategies for these pests involve the use of crop rotations, chemicals and plant resistance but in many situations such measures are impractical. Host recognition processes are poorly understood and few methods have been studied that affect the ability of nematodes to locate their hosts. Plant parasitic nematodes have developed the capacity to sense and respond to chemical signals of host origin and the ability to orientate towards plants enhance their chances of survival. We were the first to demonstrate that plant signals present in root exudates, trigger a rapid alteration of the surface cuticle of sedentary plant parasitic nematodes and that phytohormones can act as cues that affect the orientation of infective nematode juveniles. The key objective of this proposal is to understand how the infective stages of root-knot nematodes detect and respond to IAA and related indole compounds and we will test the following hypotheses during the life of the project: 1) IAA and indole compounds are perceived by nematodes as host cues and nematodes follow an IAA gradient during their invasion of plants; 2) the hormone status of the root determines nematode infection and establishment and 3) plant IAA signals the presence of food to nematodes by inducing changes in their gene expression. Therefore, this proposal seeks to provide an understanding of the mechanisms involved in host-recognition in the early events of nematode infection of plants.Understanding the signalling and perception occurring in such interactions will reveal targets for chemical or genetic intervention.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search