Post on 07-May-2015
description
Screening and identification of new natural compounds for plant protection against biotic stresses
Dr Bernard DUMAS
Research Director CNRS
Plant-Microbe Interactions team
UMR 5546 CNRS-Université Paul Sabatier
Toulouse III , France
Plant diseases: strong economical and environmental impacts
Fungal diseases: major cause of yield losses (>30%)
Massive use of fongicides
Toxic compounds targeted to pathogens Environmental and health concerns Development of resistant strains
Biological control as an alternative strategy to control plant diseases
Biological control: The use of living organisms, or products derived from living organisms, for pest control
Plant diseases: strong economical and environmental impacts
World market of pesticides (fungicides, insecticides, herbicides) : 44 billions $
Strong increase of the biopesticide market
Source: IUPP
Commercial products against fungal diseases
Microorganisms (~15) (antagonisms)
Rhizobacteria : Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens…
Fungi: Trichoderma sp., Coniothyrium minitans, Ampelomyces quisqualis…..
Natural products (active compounds known): β-1,3-glucan (Iodus2)….
Inducers of plant defense (5)
Natural extracts (active compounds unkown): Giant knotweed (Milsana), Fenugrec seeds (Stifenia)…
In France, about 20 active compounds are registrated
Problem: Low and variable efficacy Solution: Identification of new active compounds, improvement of the formulation
Phase I : Molecular characterization of active compounds
Identification, mode of action, first toxicity evaluation…
Phase II : Product development
Industrial production, formulation, field tests….
Phase III : Regulatory process
Toxicity studies, environmental impact…
Phase IV : Commercial development
From the identification of active compounds to the development of commercial products
Development costs: Chemical: ~250 million $ Biological product: ?
Neoprotec (2010 – 2014): a collaborative project to develop new biological products
Identification of active compounds from natural extracts
Development of high-throughput screening tests on model plants (Arabidopsis, tobacco….)
Mode of action: high-troughput gene expression assays using a « plant immunity chip » (96 biomarkers) to monitor immune responses
Samples (treated plants)
Primers (Biomarkers) 9216 Q-PCR
(4h)
BioMark™ HD System (Fluidigm)
Compounds active on plant immune responses
Take-home messages
Strong need of environmentally-friendly strategies to control plant diseases
Biocontrol products (living microorganisms, natural extracts) can offer alternative solutions
Development of high-throughput screening tests to identify compounds able to stimulate natural plant immune responses
Identification of new formulations to improve the stability and efficacy of active compounds in the field
Acknowledgements
Sophie Vergnes
The Plant-Microbe Interactions team, LRSV
Industrial partners