EEUU: Texas A&M researchers tackle zebra chip disease with new approach to reduce pesticide use

Funded by a $682,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this three-year project will investigate the mechanisms through which the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum affects plant and insect immune systems, leading to agricultural losses.

The findings by researchers in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences could help significantly reduce pesticide dependency and enhance sustainable agricultural practices.

"The economic impact of diseases like zebra chip in potatoes has been enormous for Texas and other potato-producing states, especially in the Pacific Northwest," said principal investigator Julien Levy, Ph.D., AgriLife Research scientist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. "The only management system in place right now is applying pesticides to limit the spread of the disease by insects. Our research project aims to identify long-term solutions that help producers and the environment."

Tackling zebra chipWith zebra chip disease, bacteria establish an infection that disrupts plants’ nutrient transport systems — whether it be tomatoes or, most notably, potatoes. Frying infected potatoes to make chips produces dark stripes, which give the disease its name. In the past, if even a single potato in a batch was found to have a zebra chip, the entire lot had to be thrown out.

"This disease has resulted in massive economic losses," said Cecilia Tamborindeguy, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Entomology. "Although pesticide use has kept the disease somewhat under control, it’s not a sustainable solution, especially with rising production costs and other environmental concerns."

In response, Levy and Tamborindeguy will be conducting a parallel study of plant and insect immune systems, as the bacteria must bypass both to spread infections. In particular, they’ll be investigating proteins the bacteria use to weaken the plant hosts’ defenses, as well as how those proteins could be blocked.

"The idea behind the project is to identify those proteins from the bacteria that are blocking the defense, and then we may be able to support the plant’s defense against the bacteria," Levy said.

While Levy leads investigations into the interactions between the bacteria and the plant, Tamborindeguy will be looking into the interactions between the bacteria and the psyllid responsible for spreading it.

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For more information:Laura MunteanTexas A&M AgriLifeTel: +1 601 248 1891Email: laura.muntean@ag.tamu.eduwww.agrilifetoday.tamu.edu