| Grant number: | 17/18910-4 |
| Support type: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | February 01, 2018 - January 31, 2021 |
| Field of knowledge: | Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health |
| Principal Investigator: | Elliot Watanabe Kitajima |
| Grantee: | Elliot Watanabe Kitajima |
| Home Institution: | Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Jorge Alberto Marques Rezende ; Marcelo Eiras |
Abstract
In 2011, FAPESP/Biota Microorganism Program approved a proposal of the applicant on the diversity of molecular pathogens of plants in Brazil. The development of the Project was a continuation of surveys of plant viruses and viroids carried out in several Brazilian regions, started in the 1970's. At the same time, the evaluation of their diversity was made through a bibliographical research on the scientific publications made on plant virus and viroids found in Brazil, since the beginning of plant virology in this country. This research resulted in the publication of an annotated list of virus and viroids found infecting field plants in Brazil until 2014; It revealed a large variety of host plant species (369 species belonging to 72 families) infected by a significant number of virus species (241 recognized virus species in 55 genera, besides 92 yet to be officialized species, and 6 viroid species). Thus a remarkable diversity of these plant molecular pathogens was found to be present in Brazil, most of them introduced, but several were found to be autochton. In this 2nd phase, the applicant proposes to continue the above mentioned project, to enlist additional cases of field infection of cultivated or spontaneous plants by viruses and/or viroids, especially in less surveyed regions. These pathogens will be identified and characterized, and in due cases, control strategies will be developed for them. For such a purpose, an extense network of collaborators will be formed to provide the local logistic support. Concerning the annotated list of the Brazilian molecular pathogens of plants will be updated, based on information published after 2014. It is intended to add a new tool to help bibliographical research, represented by a bank of pdf of most of publications [articles (review, regular, divulging), abstracts, bulletins, dissertation and thesis]. After a suggestion made by prof. C. Joly (coordinator of the Biota Program), an English version of the Annotated List will be prepared directed to the international community and published in Biota Neotropica. The general coordination of the activities will be made by the applicant (E. W. Kitajima) with the collaboration of Prof. Jorge A. M. Rezende (LFN/Esalq). The site for the proposed works will the Departamento de Fitopatologia e Nematologia of ESALQ/USP in Piracicaba, SP. The total budget of the Project is estimated in ca. R$ 150.000 for 2 years, including technical reserve, complementary benefit, imported goods and a TT-1 scholarship. A technical scholarship (TT-1) is requested to help the bibliographic survey and the production of the pdf bank of publications. (AU)