New Research Targets Disease Threat To UK Potatoes, Carrots, And Other Crops
A major new research project is set to investigate bacterial plant diseases spreading across continental Europe that could pose a future threat to UK potato, carrot, sugar beet, and grapevine production in an effort to protect UK food security.
Led by Keele University and funded jointly by the government and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the four-year project will focus on improving grower preparedness for potential outbreaks before the diseases become established in the UK.
The diseases are spread by sap-feeding insects known as planthoppers, which are already affecting crops in parts of Europe, with impacts including reduced yields and crop quality.
Although the planthopper species involved are already present in the UK, the diseases themselves are not currently believed to be established here.
Researchers say this gives the UK an opportunity to better understand the threat and develop measures to reduce the risk to domestic production.
The project brings together experts from eight research organisations, including the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Fera Science, Rothamsted Research, and the universities of Exeter, Gloucestershire, Warwick, and York.
Led by Professor James Bell, Professor of Entomology at Keele University, the research will examine a disease system involving two species of planthopper that is capable of transmitting five bacterial diseases between crops and wild plant hosts.
As well as studying the biology and ecology of the insects and diseases, the project will assess their potential economic and social impacts.
Researchers will also develop new tools for disease monitoring, risk assessment, and improved understanding of how the threats could develop.
Novel combined bacterial plant infections are rapidly spreading across Europe, according to Professor James Bell, project lead and Professor of Entomology at Keele University.
“These complex plant diseases are compromising grapevine, sugar beet, potato and carrot crops on the continent but are currently thought to be absent from the UK,” Professor Bell explained.
“We have an opportunity to prepare for this potential epidemic threat by developing tools and methodologies to better understand both the insect vector – a planthopper – and the disease complex it carries.”
To that end, an expert team has been assembled, spanning the agricultural, biological, ecological, economic, mathematical, statistical and social sciences.
“Together, we will address critical knowledge gaps and develop the evidence needed to help mitigate these bacterial infectious diseases, strengthening the UK’s food security,” Professor Bell said.
The research will also involve engagement with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to support plant health policy development and risk assessment.
Insect-vectored bacterial plant diseases are much less well understood than insect-vectored viral diseases, which makes the E-Prep II project all the more significant, according to Dr Trisna Tungadi, co-project lead and lecturer in Plant Health at Keele University.
“Planthoppers, which can transmit these bacterial pathogens, are already present in the UK, so this project gives us an important opportunity to better understand the potential risks and ensure we are prepared for these emerging disease threats,” Dr Tungadi commented.
The consortium aims to provide farmers, growers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers with new scientific knowledge and practical tools to help identify and respond to emerging plant health threats before they become established in the UK.
The project is one of 18 new research and innovation projects receiving a share of more than £54 million in public investment.
The funding is coordinated through UKRI, with co-funding from partners including Defra, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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