We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Screening of Pisum sativum (pea) accessions for pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus resistance (SPITFIRE)
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2342, 310 EBR/1
Contract period: 01.11.2021
- 31.10.2023
Purpose of research: Applied research
The production of green peas for fresh and frozen markets is an important niche sector within agricultural production systems. Green peas are a high value crop grown on approx. 5,400 ha generating a turnover of €1,404,000 on fresh markets alone in Germany and 2,500 ha in Austria. In addition, protein peas have become more and more important as part of animal feed or as alternative crop for enhancing soil nutrition and soil health. Pea proteins, starch or fibres are also being used in novel food and technical products. Numerous pathogens, in particular plant viruses, are threatening successful production of peas. Plant viruses cannot be controlled directly. Indirect measures are targeting the prevention of infection by e.g. using certified virus-free planting material or strict hygiene measures. As most legume-infecting viruses are insect-transmitted, these options are not feasible. Vector control by using pesticides is expensive and often not effective as insects develop pesticide resistance or can transmit and spread viral diseases before the insecticides are effective. In case of organic farming, synthetic pesticides are banned anyway. A sustainable approach to grow peas without viral infections would be the use of virus-resistant varieties. Virus-resistance can be genetically inherited and is therefore suitable for both conventional and organic production systems. Resistance genes in peas have been described for several viruses, and molecular markers have been developed to speed up the breeding process of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV)- or bean leafroll virus (BLRV)-resistant pea varieties. However, the biggest threat to Austrian and German pea production is the nanovirus pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV). This virus has only been discovered approximately 10 years ago, but has caused already substantial crop losses. In contrast to PEMV or BRLV, PNYDV does not only cause symptoms that lead to yield losses, but infection can lead to plant death and therefore total crop failure. This virus is solely transmitted by aphids; efficiency of vector control by pesticides to prevent PNYDV in the field is limited. So far, no PNYDV-resistant pea variety has been identified. This project aims to address the following objectives:
- Identification of genetic resources for PNYDV resistance in pea germplasm in greenhouse screening tests
- Evaluation of selected pea accessions under field conditions with respect to the potential of PNYDV-resistance in the field
- Evaluation of agronomic and morphological parameters (growth, yield, susceptibility to pathogens) of these accessions under field conditions
- Laying the foundation for further research projects to develop marker-assisted breeding of PNYDV-resistant varieties.
The SPITFIRE consortium consists of experts in plant virology and plant genetic resources, i.e. JKI, AGES and IPK. The coordination of the project will be handled by GFPi and ecoplus. The user committee consists of partners along the value chain of green and protein peas: pea breeders, molecular breeding researchers, pea growers and processors, and vegetable marketing organisations. This support demonstrates the importance of this project for this industry.
This cross-national project is necessary to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and material as no commercial pea breeders exist in Austria. Austrian pea growers and processors are dependent on varieties that are mainly bred in Germany; for German breeders, the Austrian market is very valuable. No PNYDV-resistant pea germplasm has been identified in preliminary tests therefore it is necessary to screen genebank material for potentially resistant or tolerant germplasm. Albeit a highly risky task (there might be no PNYDV-resistant material in existence), this project is necessary to lay the foundation for follow-up projects in which the genetic material will be used for identification of molecular markers. This can enhance and speed up the pea breeding process to make PNYDV resistant pea varieties commercially available in the future.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Vegetable Gardening
- Genetic Resources
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
