Working
GROUPS
Working Group 1 (WG1):
AMo’s (Crop-Arthropod-Microbe interactions) and their impact on crop yield
WG-vice leader: Paula Baptista (Polytechnic Institute of Bragana, PT); pbaptista_at_ipb.pt
The “Impacts” Working Group has two main objectives:
1a. Synthesize current knowledge on (i) the effects of microorganisms on crop-arthropod interactions and vice versa, (ii) how CAMo interactions impact crop resistance and crop yield, and (iii) the extent of variability in the effects of CAMo interactions on crop resistance and yield as a result of abiotic and genetic (cultivar/strain) variation.
1b. Conduct across-crop system comparisons using the database generated under 1a and statistical analyses and modelling to identify general patterns and impacts in these interactions.
Deliverables:
1.1. A database of CAMo interactions in tomato, oilseed rape and other model systems, containing information on interactive effects of microbes and arthropods on each other, and estimates of their combined impacts on plant fitness and yield including variance estimates for different environments and genotypes/strains.
1.2. An across-study system comparison of predictable patterns in CAMo interactions and impacts based on current data and statistical modelling.
Milestones:
1.1. Dissemination of a database on impacts of CAMo interactions on crop resistance and yield and its variability; procedure for updating the database.
1.2. Scientific paper about predictable patterns in CAMo interactions’ effects on crop resistance and yield based on an across-crop systems comparison; popular articles to increase awareness of CAMo interaction impacts on European crops.
Working Group 2 (WG2):
Mechanisms underlying CAMo (Crop-Arthropod-Microbe) interactions
WG-vice leader: Benedicte Albrectsen (Umea Plant Science Center, Umea, SE); benedicte.albrectsen_at_umu.se
The “Mechanisms” Working Group has three main objectives:
2a. Synthesize current knowledge on molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying CAMo interactions and how they are altered by abiotic factors in tomato, oilseed rape and other model species and crops; identify general mechanisms underlying different types of CAMo interactions.
2b. Initiate development of a suite of modelling components for exploring the consequences of molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying CAMo interactions at individual plant and crop yield level.
2c. Evaluate and develop technologies and tools (particularly –omics) for studies of CAMo interactions; standardize protocols for assessing CAMo effects; identify technical gaps in the relevant techniques used to study CAMos.
Deliverables:
2.1. (i) A database on molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying effects of three-way CAMo interactions on plant resistance and yield, especially for tomato, oilseed rape, and other model systems, and how they are modified by abiotic conditions; (ii) an across-system comparison to identify patterns in the mechanisms mediating CAMo interactions for different groups of organisms.
2.2. Analysis of modelling concepts and approaches for incorporating mechanisms underlying CAMo interactions in physiological and crop growth models.
2.3. Initiation of the development of technologies, resources and tools for testing and verifying CAMo interactions for use in agro-R&D institutes and companies.
Milestones:
2.1. Dissemination of a database on mechanisms underlying CAMo interactions and their impact on crop resistance and yield; procedure for updating the database; open access publications on mechanisms underlying different types of CAMo interactions.
2.2. Catalogue of modeling components that can be used to incorporate CAMo mechanisms in physiological and crop models.
2.3. Identification of gaps in knowledge on CAMo interaction mechanisms, identification of improvements that are needed to further develop the field and identification of technologies, resources and tools for testing and verifying CAMo interactions used in applications.
Working Group 3 (WG3):
Utilization of CAMo (Crop-Arthropod-Microbe) interactions
WG vice-leader: Ana Pineda (NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, NL); a.pineda_at_nioo.knaw.nl
The “Utilization” working group has two objectives:
3a. Initiate, develop, and evaluate novel ideas, approaches and products for managing crop pests and beneficial microbes that rely on management of CAMo interactions.
3b. Analyse how principles of CAMo interactions can be included in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) decision support systems.
Deliverables:
3.1. (i) Organization of two specialised idea-development sessions for agro-R&D companies, SMEs, and researchers from basic and applied sciences for brainstorming, evaluation, and feasibility analysis; A procedure for connecting SMEs and end users with researchers working on CAMo interactions in order to better enable future strategies for pest management.
3.2. An idea-bank coupled to a knowledge base for development of a) novel microbiological and biochemical products to enhance plant resilience and resistance to arthropod pests and plant diseases based on CAMo interactions, and b) improved forecasting of crop losses due to CAMo interactions and management through IPM.
3.3. Analysis of modelling concepts and approaches of how CAMo interactions can be included in IPM models.
Milestones:
3.1. A commented and evaluated catalogue of ideas for novel developments and products based on CAMo interactions published internally in the Action and as a joint publication.
3.2. Publication of a catalogue of model components and approaches that can be used to include CAMo interactions in IPM decision support systems.