Evaluation of different mechanisms of action in the biological control of Streptomyces scabiei

• Grant number: 23/07149-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Suzete Aparecida Lanza Destéfano
• Grantee: Lucas Vitor
• Host Institution: Instituto Biológico (IB). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/19116-3 - Multigenomic analysis of Streptomyces scabiei with biological agents that control potato scab, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Several limiting factors can affect potato production, among them phytosanitary problems, which are responsible for losses and generation of higher production costs for the crop. Among the main bacterial diseases we can mention potato scab, caused by different species of the genus Streptomyces. Management techniques are used to minimize the effects of this disease, such as genetic improvement to obtain more resistant varieties, seed certification, soil acidification, crop rotation, soil fertilization, application of chemicals and use of biological control. A range of scientific papers on the control of S. scabiei (the main causal agent) can be found in the world literature, but the complexity of the disease makes it even more difficult to outline a control strategy. The present proposal, in fact, represents the continuation of the project entitled "Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages and evaluation of their potential as biocontrol agents for Streptomyces associated to potato scab" FAPESP process no. 2021/09988-5, where the isolation of bacteriophages with the potential to control phytopathogenic Streptomyces species has shown promise for a management program. At the same time, other antagonistic agents belonging to the same rhizosphere of viral particle isolation have been efficient in reducing the incidence of potato scab in the greenhouse. Thus, this project aims to investigate the possible emotions between the phytopathogen and biocontrol agents such as competition, antibiosis, parasitism and resistance induction in the management of potato scab. It is emphasized that the proposal may result in model methodologies for management programs of a complex pathosystem, with direct impact on helping producers and the potato production chain.