Research plan
Holistic,
multi-location approach to research & innovation
VIRTIGATION’s research plan is built on the following 3 pillars: firstly, a detailed study of virus biology and transmission under climate change conditions; secondly, the development of classical solutions (IPM and natural resistance) to control viral diseases with two distinct modes of transmission; and thirdly, testing novel approaches (biopesticides, biological control, cross-protection) to mitigate viral diseases and to reduce pesticide usage. In order to take into account the diversity of vegetable cropping systems and viral diseases, VIRTIGATION‘s multi-actor approach (the VIRTIGATION network), involving stakeholders such as extension services, commercial companies and growers, will help co-design research activities and mitigation strategies from the onset of the project.
Thanks to its development of advanced diagnostics tools and its investigation of virus diversity in their centres of emergence, the VIRTIGATION project will provide plant health services with adapted tools and measures to prevent future outbreaks. The project’s models will also help predict future problems arising from climate change and the spread of viruses from, to and within Europe.
The main aim of this research focus is to enhance the understanding of interactions between plant viruses and their plant hosts, especially tomato and cucurbits. It will concentrate in this regard in particular on the tobamovirus Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and on the begomovirus Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) with its associated DNA satellites.
The main aim of this research focus is to investigate both biotic and abiotic factors contributing to the development and spread of viral disease epidemics in Europe, with a particular concentration on how future climatic conditions would affect the introduction and spread of viral diseases.
The main aim is to guarantee the targeted and efficient implementation of the VIRTIGATION project towards all its objectives, as well as the overall administration and management of the project throughout its lifetime.