UR0407 Pathologie Végétale
Projects/innovation
CSIRO-INRAE

CSIRO-INRAE linkage + Plant Pathogen ‘Omics Initiative Bioplatforms Australia - 2025

Developing a framework for studying genetic drivers of biocontrol durability

  • Funding: CSIRO-INRAE
  • Project : Many plant pathogens can develop resistance to pesticides, but few studies have examined their potential to develop resistance to biocontrol agents and the consequences for their efficacy in the field (Bardin et al, 2015. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00566). It is therefore essential to conduct research to assess the risks of resistance to these new crop protection tools, in order to extend their lifespan and develop a framework for proactively managing resistance risks.
    The main aim of this exchange is to bring together the complementary expertise of the INRAE Plant Pathology and CSIRO Agriculture and Food research units, and to strengthen the collaboration initiated in 2018 between these two laboratories, for the development of tools and approaches to address current limitations in the selection of biocontrol agents and the assessment of their protective efficacy. The specific objectives of this exchange include: (1) transferring knowledge about the durability of biocontrol agents and pathogen evolution under biocontrol pressure; (2) refining a joint framework for innovative biocontrol screening and selection tools that enable targeted assessment of biocontrol modes of action and their durability potential and (3) facilitating long-term collaborations between CSIRO Agriculture & Food and INRAE researchers, combining complementary skills to improve predictive understanding of host-pathogen-biocontrol interactions, identify traits that enhance biocontrol durability, and understand pathogen mechanisms that lead to resistance, ultimately leading to the development of new durable biocontrol agents.
    This project is associated with a project funded by the Plant Pathogen 'Omics Initiative Bioplatforms (Australia), the aim of which is to sequence the complete genome of 20 to 48 strains of Botrytis cinerea displaying different levels of resistance to biocontrol agents. This population genomics study will make it possible to (1) explore the variation in B. cinerea resistance to biocontrol and compare it with future strains, and (2) better understand the mechanisms of resistance to biocontrol and develop strategies to manage resistance risks in the future.
  • Partners : unité Pathologie végétale (centre INRAE Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Avignon, France) ; CSIRO Agriculture and Food (Canberra, Australia)
  • Coordinators: INRAE; CSIRO
  • Managers for the unit: BARDIN Marc et LEPINAY Clémentine
  • Lifetime: 2025, 12 months

Modification date: 03 March 2025 | Publication date: 03 March 2025 | By: BARDIN Marc