Strategies for Quantifying and Controlling Free Living Nematode Populations and Consequent Damage by Tobacco Rattle Virus to Improve Potato Yield and Quality

自由生活线虫（FLN）正在成为英国马铃薯种植者的一个主要问题，在短期内因去除批准的杀线虫剂而加剧，长期内因气候变化导致的预期人口增加而加剧。FLN通过取食马铃薯根部降低产量和质量造成直接损害，并通过传播烟草摇铃病毒（TRV）间接造成损害。相对较低的TRV感染水平可以使整个作物无法销售，无论是新鲜的还是加工业。目前的知识估计英国马铃薯产业的总损失为每年超过1300万英镑。FLN包括一系列不同的分类群，这些分类群很难在视觉上区分，但在分布、致病性和病毒传播频率方面差异很大，迄今为止在英国尚未得到充分研究。有益和致病FLN物种共存使问题进一步复杂化，因此准确区分至关重要。该项目汇集了一个由500多名种植者组成的公司财团，这些种植者从事马铃薯生产种子，用于英国和出口。此外，一些拥有控制FLN种群的潜在方法的公司也被列为合作伙伴。将首次开发、验证和部署一种能够区分三种主要感兴趣的FLN的分子诊断。这将被用来评估直接FLN喂养的商业马铃薯品种的选择，以及研究对块茎质量和病毒传播的影响。与此同时，将开发分子标记，以促进培育抗TRV的新马铃薯品种。

Free Living Nematodes (FLN) are emerging as a major problem for UK potato growers, exacerbated in the short term by removal of approved nematicides and in the long-term by expected population increases due to climate change. FLN cause direct damage by feeding on potato roots reducing yields and quality, and indirectly by transmitting Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV). Relatively low levels of TRV infections can render entire crops unsaleable, both for the fresh and the processing industries. Current knowledge estimates the total loss to the UK potato industry to be >£13m p.a. FLN comprise a range of different taxonomic groups that are difficult to distinguish visually but vary significantly in terms of their distribution, pathogenicity and virus transmission frequencies, and have been to date under-studied in the UK. The problem is further compounded by beneficial and pathogenic FLN species co-existing, and thus accurate discrimination is essential. This project brings together a consortium of companies with a grower base of over 500 growers invloved in ware potato production seed both for use in the UK and export. In addition, a number of companies with potential methods for controlling FLN populations are included as partners. For the first time, a molecular diagnostic capable of distinguishing between the three main groups of FLN of interest will be developed, validated and deployed. This will be used to assess direct FLN feeding damage on a selection of commercial potato varieties as well as study effects on tuber quality and transmission of virus. In parallel, molecular markers will be developed to facilitate the breeding of new potato varieties with resistance to TRV.