Multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere and the management of nematode pests and diseases Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK

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Multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere and
the management of nematode pests and diseases
H. S. GAUR Dean Joint Director (Edu.) Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
E-mail hsg_nema_at_iari.res.in ROSANE
CURTIS Principal Scientist Rothamsted Research,
Harpenden, Herts., UK E-mail rosane.curtis_at_bbsrc.
ac.uk
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UKIERI Standard Award, 2007 Multitrophic
interactions in the rhizosphere and the
management of nematode pests and diseases
Partners

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New
  Delhi, India
• Prof. Hari S. Gaur
• Dr. Uma Rao
• Dr. Anil Sirohi
• Dr. Pankaj
• Dr. Sharad Mohan
• Strong nematology research and teaching programme

Rothamsted Research,
Harpenden, UK Prof. Brian Kerry Dr. Keith G.
Davies Dr. Rosane Curtis Dr. Penny Hirsch Dr.
Tony Miller Strong soil function and rhizosphere
biology programme
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India

• Population 1200 million
• Food production 230 m tonnes
• Population engaged in agriculture 60
• Share of GDP from Agriculture 18
• Wide range of agroclimate and soils
• Temperate Sub-tropical - Tropical
• Arid - Sub-humid - humid
• Sandy Loam - Clay
• Wide variety of crops and farming systems
• Multiple cropping, intensive cultivation
• Many pest and disease problems including
  nematodes

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National Agricultural Research System of India

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• 4 National institutes Deemed Universities
  IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE
• 80 research institutes and national research
  centres
• 75 All India Coordinated Research Projects
• 46 State Agricultural Universities
• Focus- Research Fundamental and applied
• Education UG, PG and Doctoral
• Extension Transfer of technology

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INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTENew Delhi
Premier agricultural research institute
Established in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar Shifted to
Delhi in 1936 Post-graduate teaching since
1923 Deemed to be University since 1958
Grants M.Sc. Ph.D. Degrees in 23 subjects
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Indian Agricultural Research InstituteThe
Flagship InstituteThe seat of Green
RevolutionLed India from Paucity to Plenty
400 Scientists, 700 Technicians, 700 Supporting
Staff, 400 Administrative Staff 19 Divisions, 7
Units, 5 Multidisciplinary Centres 650
Post-Graduate students , 200 Research Fellows/
Associates
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Schools and Centres of Excellence
Basic Sciences Crop Improvement Natural Resource Management Crop Protection Social Sciences
Biochemistry Genetics Agronomy Plant Pathology Agri. Extension
Plant Physiology Fruit Science Soil Science Agri.Chemistry Entomology Agri. Economics
Biotechnology Vegetable Science Microbiology Nematology CATAT
Molecular Biology Floriculture Landscaping Environment Science Agricultural Chemicals KVK
Agricultural Physics Post-Harvest Technology Agricultural Engineering
NRCPB Plant Genome Centre National Phytotron Facility Water Technology Centre NCCU Blue Green Algae Agricultural Statistics Computer - Applications
Nuclear Research Lab. National Agri. LIBRARY Simulations Informatics Unit Advanced Virology Centre Plant Genetic Resources
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Old relationship between IARI and Rothamsted

• 1964 International Nematology Training Programme
  at IARI Helped by Dr. F.G.W.Jones of Rothamsted
• 1989-90 1994-95 Dr. H.S. Gaur worked as a
  Visiting Scientist at Rothamsted Research under
  Commonwealth, Royal Society and RI Felloships.
• 1995 Dr. Rolo Perry visited IARI.
• 1996 Dr. Keith Davies, visited IARI.
• 1998-99 Dr. Sharad Mohan worked at Rothamsted
• 2002 2006 Prof. Brian Kerry visited IARI
• Motives
• Both research Institute had active research
  programmes in nematology and rhizosphere
  interactions involving plant, nematodes and
  fungal/bacterial biocontrol organisms.
• Interaction was ad-hoc. UKIERI provides
  opportunity for structured interaction.

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Complementarities

• India has several nematode problems of economic
  importance in crop production, and a team of
  nematologists involved in applied research.
• Rothamsted research has an excellent fundamental
  research programme on nematode plant interactions
  and biological control.
• The two institutions and teams of scientists form
  a nice complementary group.

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Relevant research interests of collaborating
scientists
Prof. Hari S. Gaur Nematode ecology, physiology and integrated nematode management
Dr. Uma Rao Molecular diagnostics and host plant resistance
Dr. Anil Sirohi Molecular basis of plant-nematode interaction
Dr. Pankaj Biological control and plant resistance
Dr. Sharad Mohan Biological control, entomopathogenic nematodes and bacteria, eg. Pasteuria and Photorhabdus
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Rothamsted Research
Nematode Interactions Unit
UKIERI Root Health Water and nutrient use
efficiency in crops in view of predicted climate
change

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Relevant research interests of collaborating
scientists
Prof. Brian Kerry Biological control (Fungi) and nematode management
Dr. Keith G. Davies Invertebrate pathology, Biological control (Bacteria)
Dr. Rosane Curtis Molecular basis of plant-nematode interaction, host recognition
Dr. Penny Hirsch Soil microbial biodiversity, metagenomics
Dr. Tony Miller Plant physiology, nutrient uptake and transfer in nematode infected plants
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UKIERI Project Objectives
Main Focus Root-health Water and nutrient use
efficiency in crops under predicted
climate change

• Understanding host recognition processes and
  identify novel targets for selective chemical and
  genetic intervention.
• Determine the role of diversity in the
  rhisosphere microbial community in supporting
  plant growth and identify key groups, processes
  and/or genes that underpin soil quality and the
  biological control of nematodes and root
  diseases.
• Investigate the impact of soil amendments on the
  diversity of microbial agents in the rhizosphere
  and thier impact on plant parasitic nematodes.
• Develop sustainable management strategies for
  soil borne nematode pests.

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Exchanges of scientists and students begun

• Dr. Keith Davies visited IARI three times in
  2007-08.
• Prof. H.S. Gaur is currently visiting Rothamsted
  for 4 weeks from 15 November, 2008. Designed
  experiments to test the attraction of the
  nematodes M. graminicola and M. incognita to the
  roots of different host plants.
• Mr. Junaid Ali Khan, UK Ph.D. student posted to
  work at IARI, New Delhi starting 29th October,
  2008.
• Mr. Jagadeesh Patil, Indian Ph.D. student posted
  to work at Rothamsted Research, UK, starting 15
  November, 2008.
• More exchanges have been scheduled.

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Ph.D. students research

• Mr. Junaid Ali Khan investigates the host
  specificty of the bacterium Pasteuria penetrans,
  which has potential to be developed into a
  biocontrol agent of plant parasitic nematodes.
• Mr Jagadeesh Patil, studied effect of Meloidogyne
  graminicola infection on the metabolism and
  nutrient uptake of rice plants at IARI, New
  Delhi. At Rothamsted he will develop these
  studies further and using electro-physiological
  techniques will study the effect of nitrogen and
  its uptake in rice in the presence of nematodes.
• Mr. Tushar Dutta, will study differences in
  interaction of M. incognita and M. graminicola on
  rice and tomato.

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Initial Research Results

• Xenorhabdus spp. of bacteria that have an
  association with insect pathogenic nematodes have
  been shown to be able to control soil borne root
  pests.
• Isolates of these bacteria have been collected
  from soils in India and antibodies raised against
  Xenorhabdus bacteria have been tested for
  recognition of different Xenorhabdus bacterial
  isolates from the entomopathogenic nematodes,
  Steinernema spp. from Indian soils to look at the
  diversity of types.

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Initial Research Results Contd.

• The effect of synthetic peptides has been studied
  against root-knot nematodes with some initial
  interesting results.These peptides could reduce
  the reproductive potential of root-knot nematode.
  
• Effect of, root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne
  graminicola infection on the metabolism and
  nutrient uptake of rice plants and on grain
  quality has been investigated at IARI. Data
  indicate reduction in photosynthesis, nutrient
  uptake and poor resource use efficiency due to
  nematode infection. The protein and amylose
  content in grain was also reduced. The degree of
  reduction was negatively correlated to the level
  of nematode infection.

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Activities after completion of the first phase

• A preliminary meeting was held between the RCUK
  official at New Delhi and the leaders of this
  UKIERI project to discuss future course.
• Possibilities of further extending the research
  collaboration will be explored after analysis of
  the findings under this project.
• A bilateral dialogue between, IARI ICAR, India
  and Rothamsted Research, BBSRC and RCUK would
  help in ensuring future sustainability.

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Viewing other activities in future

• Opportunities for collaboration on certain other
  aspects of nematode plant interactions.
• Opportunities of developing similar collaborative
  activities between some other disciplines
  including Microbiology, plant pathology, crop
  improvement, genomics, biotechnology,
  bioinformatics etc.

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Benefits of the UKIERI project

• The project has enabled the formation of cohesive
  teams at the two collaborative institutes
• Strategic research partnership has been
  established to address scientific issues related
  to interactions among the plant, root parasitic
  nematodes and biocontrol organisms in the
  rhizosphere,
• Results will have implications on crop
  productivity and help in development of
  mechanisms to ameliorate some of the damage
  caused by the nematodes to the crops of economic
  importance and relevant to food security.
• Key staff exchanges have been identified and
  programmed to build capacity and develop the
  research collaboration.

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Delays and difficulties

• The start of actual research programme and
  exchange of students took longer than expected to
  commence, due to administrative procedures,
• Extension of the duration of the project by one
  year will be required, without additional funds.
• Involvement of the collaborating scientists and
  students in other activities/commitments.
• In future projects, a provision to appoint
  temporary workers like Research/Post-Doc Fellows
  will be helpful.
• Due to rising prices, funds are very small.

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Early Lessons

• An initial project implementation workshop
  between the two groups would facilitate greater
  clarity and smoother start.
• RCUK and relevant authorities in India should
  negotiate rapid and simple procedures to set up
  Material Transfer Agreements, which enable the
  ready interchange of scientific materials
  required to underpin the research collaboration,
  whilst protecting IP rights of both parties.

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Thank You