METODI BIOLOGICI E AGROTECNICI PER IL CONTROLLO SOSTENIBILE DI NEMATODI CISTICOLI DA QUARANTENA IN ITALIA E NELLA R. MOLDOVA

Responsabili di progetto

Nicola Sasanelli, Ion Toderas

Accordo

MOLDOVA - ASM-not in force - Academy of Sciences of Moldova

Bando

CNR/ASM 2015-2016

Dipartimento

Scienze bio-agroalimentari

Area tematica

Scienze bio-agroalimentari

Stato del progetto

Nuovo

Proposta di ricerca

The quanti-qualitative improvement of the agricultural production through biotechnologically advanced methods is of fundamental importance both in developed and undeveloped countries for food security and environment. Increase of virulent pest attacks especially on horticultural crops is actually due to climate changes and rising temperatures. In the last decade phytoparasitic cyst nematode attacks of the genera Heterodera and Globodera have been more widespread, destructive and dangerous because of wounds on the roots caused by their juveniles that can open pathways and allow additional infections of soil-borne plant pathogens with relevant economic yield losses. In case of severe attacks plants can also died. The last European Legislation (Reg. CE 396/2005;1095/2007; 33/2008, 299/2008 and 1107/2009) have deeply revised and restricted the use of pesticides on agricultural crops focusing the attention on environmental safety, human and animal health. Plant protection from phytoparasitic cyst nematodes should therefore rely on alternative control strategies that are both environmentally sound and economically sustainable. Therefore, the proposed project arises from the necessity to find new control methods involving a reduction of applied synthetic molecules and a greater use of natural means of struggle, which could be applied to an organic and sustainable agriculture, recognized by the Europe Community since 1991 (EC Regulation 2092). The biological control of cyst nematodes by bio-pesticides, jointed with the possibility of agrothecnical control methods is one of the most interesting plant protection options because ecofriendly and safe for the environment. In this direction according to the goals of Horizon 2020 a project proposal (N° 645646) was submitted in the Work Programme 2014-15 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) to the EU by some Institutes involved in this bilateral project. Many fungi and bacteria belonging to different genera (Streptomyces, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas and Bacillus) have biological activity against soil borne pathogens and parasites especially with their exometabolites. In addition, some agrothecnical methods (i.e. crop rotations, fertilization or use of composted organic wastes) can greatly influnce soil nematofauna, reducing plant parasitic nematodes to a no damaging level and improving soil fertility. Recently the nematicidal effect on the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp., has been shown from different Streptomyces strains. On the contrary no information is available on the effect of these exometabolites on the widespread cyst nematodes (Globodera and Heterodera spp.).
In Italy and in R. Moldova as well as in E.U. are diffuse the potato cyst nematodes (G. rostochiensis and G. pallida), the carrot cyst nematode (H. carotae), the sugarbeet nematode (H. schachtii) and other cyst nematodes of lower importance. Some of these cyst nematodes are "quarantine pest nematodes" and their control is compulsory (Reg. EU 33/2007).
Therefore in Italy and in the R. Moldova a survey will be planned to assess soil cyst nematode population density using the Fenwick's method. From soil sample will be extracted different species of Spretomyces, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas and Bacillus or other biological limitators for exametabolites production and their use as bio-nematicides. Also by the use of nitrogen fertilizers and organic manure or crop rotations in field condition will be tested the possibility to reduce the level of soil cyst nematode population density at a level lower the tolerance limit of the different susceptible crops to the nematodes (i.e. sugarbeet to H. schachthii or carrot to H. carotae).
This studies will be carried out throught the collaboration among the Institute of Sustainable Plant Protection of the CNR (Italy) and the Institutes of a) Zoology, b) Microbiology and Biotechnology and c) Scientific Research Institute for field crops "Selectia" of the Moldavian Academy of Sciences (R. Moldova).
In vivo ed in vitro tests will be set up. The in vitro test will be carried out as hatching test to verify the vitality of eggs inside treated cysts. Cysts will be collected from treated and untreated soil after their extraction with the Fenwick can and batches of 50 cysts (3-4 replications/treatment) will be subjected to different doses of exametabolites of different fungi or bacteria strains. Every week the number of emerged juveniles will be counted renewing the tested solution. At the end of the hatching test the cysts will be crushed to assess the number of unhatched eggs. From cumulative data will be calculated the percentages of hatch that after their transformation, by Bliss tables, will be subjected to statistical analysis to verify significant differences among treatments. A chemical control (fenamifos) and an untreated control will be also considered. The in vivo test will be carried out in pot on vegetables diffuse in both countries or in field condition on susceptible field crops (i.e. sugarbeet). In glasshouse a naturally infested soil will be used to fill clay pots which will be arranged in glasshouse according to a randomised block design (10 replications/treatment). As previously indicated two controls will be considered. Treatments will be exometabolites of different species of fungi or bacteria at appropriate concentrations. After two months morfological and nematological parameters will be assessed (fresh and top dry weights and root weight, number of cysts and eggs and juveniles/g soil, eggs/cyst, per cent egg vitality and reproduction rate). In the case of field experiment the field will be subdivided in plots (with 4-5 replications/treatment). Treatments will be different doses of exametabolites of Streptomyces strains from ASM collection or isolated in field and/or the use of the indicated agrothecnical methods especially those based on crop rotation. Data will be subjected to analysis of variance and means compared (LSD or Duncan's test).

Obiettivi della ricerca

The objectives of the proposed project are:
1) Isolation, identification and characterization of BCAs;
2) preparation of new bio-nematicides;
3) set up new control methods for sustainable plant protection againts pests;
4) set up environmentally sound plant protection protocols against cyst plant parasitic nematodes according to the European legislation;
5) to improve the collaboration among researchers of the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP of the CNR) and of Institutes of Zoology and Microbiology and Biotechnology of the ASM (R. Moldova) involved in the Work Programme 2014-2015 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) with the project proposal N° 645646 with the aim to create a network useful for the preparation of possible future international project within Horizon 2020.

Ultimo aggiornamento: 30/04/2025