Award details

Pest resistance in oilseed rape

Reference	BBS/E/J/00003706
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Richard Mithen
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	40,219
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	30/09/1999
Duration	30 months

Abstract

Oilseed Brassica crops suffer from high levels of vertebrate pest damage. The estimated cost of wood pigeon damage on oilseed rape is over ,3 million per annum. The only method of control is by scaring which is not cost effective. This research programme seeks to modify the palatability of oilseed rape by altering the levels and types of glucosinolates in its leaves, and assessing the effect of this modification on pigeon feeding behaviour and crop establishment and growth. In addition to pigeons, the effect of modification of glucosinolates on other vertebrate and non vertebrate pests is being assessed. Molecular marker technology, developed at the JIC, is being used to increase the efficiency of introgression of novel genes into oilseed rape from wild relatives, to select experimental lines for evaluation and to position genes which determine palatability on chromosome maps of oilseed rape. The programme will evaluate whether manipulation of leaf glucosinolate can be an effective methods to reduce vertebrate damage on oilseed rape crops. Genetic information on how these changes can be made, and molecular markers for specific genes, will assist companies in their breeding programmes. Breeding lines with modified glucosinolates will be transferred to the UK commercial sector. The programme also provides information on the evolution of plant secondary metabolites and palatability.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
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

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