Strategies for quantifying and controlling free-living nematode populations and consequent damage by Tobacco Rattle Virus to improve potato yield and growth - funded by the Technology Strategy Board [2], (Began January 2011, 5 year project) this multi-partner collaboration combining the expertise of industry with colleagues at The James Hutton Institute (Roy Neilson [3], Vivian Blok [4] and Finlay Dale [5]) and SAC (Andy Evans [6]) aims to address concerns in the UK potato industry related to the impending withdrawal of approved nematicides and long-term concerns regarding the effects of climate change on free-living nematode populations. The project aims to develop a rapid molecular pre-plant molecular test for the target nematodes of concern, assess damage threshold levels of nematodes on current potato cultivars, identify potential alternative control strategies and develop molecular markers to facilitate the breeding of new potato cultivars resistant to Tobacco Rattle Virus.
Invasive New Zealand flatworm study. We are utilising a large historical collection of invasive flatworms held at The James Hutton Institute in combination with new samples sent in by the public to investigate any changes in the flatworm genome that could be indicative of adaptation to our climate (With Roy Neilson [7] and Brian Boag).
Prevalence study of Pratylenchus species. Utilising samples brought in for other projects we are studying the prevalence and distribution of Pratylenchus species in Scottish potato-growing fields using a combination of taxonomy, species-specific PCR and sequence analysis.
Links:
[1] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7318-5945
[2] http://www.innovateuk.org/ourstrategy/innovationplatforms/sustainableagricultureandfood.ashx
[3] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/roy-neilson
[4] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/vivian-blok
[5] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/finlay-dale
[6] http://www.sac.ac.uk/contacts/andyevans
[7] http://www.hutton.ac.uk/node/2244/roy-neilson
[8] http://www.enprint.co.uk/