Student Education News

Developing novel approaches for pest-resistant crops

Professors Urwin and Atkinson have developed three novel technologies for nematode control.

The rapid increase in the population of the world puts increasing pressure on the production of sufficient food. It has been estimated that up to 25% of potential food production is lost through plant disease and pests. One major cause of losses of food prior to harvest are plant parasitic nematodes, which cause global crop yield losses of > $100Bn annually. Conventionally nematode damage is controlled through the use of chemical treatments ("nematicides") to kill the nematodes. However, these can cause harm to humans in their production and use. Furthermore, these chemicals cause severe environmental harm, and so nematicides are being withdrawn globally. This then leaves farmers without adequate means to control nematodes and the damage they cause. Professors Urwin and Atkinson of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and their co-workers have developed three novel technologies for nematode control through a long-term programme of research and development.

The technologies developed use targeted genetic modification of the plants to bring about resistance to the nematodes. The work has attracted the interest of several companies in non-EU countries, and a number of successful field trials have been carried out to demonstrate that the technology works in crop plants. The work has potential to be of benefit to farmers and consumers in the future.

29th October 2012