Investigating a novel genetic strategy for insect resistance in crops

植物一直在与害虫作斗争，人们越来越依赖化学物质来控制害虫。然而，一些农药的禁令即将出台，害虫管理需要新的方法。本项目旨在开发一种利用草食性昆虫对植物甾醇依赖的新策略。在这里，我们将应用最新的基因组学技术在植物中生产非利用甾醇，这种甾醇不会支持昆虫的生长和繁殖，但仍将使植物正常运作。我们将在重要作物油菜籽上证明这一点。这些知识的转化将支持作物抗逆性的育种，从而实现持久的抗性和更可持续的作物生产。

Plants are in a constant battle with insect pests and there is an increasing reliance on chemical inputs for control. However there are incoming bans on some pesticides, and new approaches are required for pest management. The aim of this project is to develop a new strategy which exploits the dependence of herbivorous insects on phytosterols. Here, we will apply the latest genomics technologies in plants to produce non-utilizable sterols which will not support insect growth and reproduction, but will still allow the plant to function normally. We will demonstrate this in the important crop canola. Translation of this knowledge will support breeding for crop resilience, leading to durable resistance and more sustainable crop production.