Due to the recent ToLCNDV epidemic on zucchini in Spain and Italy, and SLCV/WmCSV epidemics on cucurbits in Jordan and surrounding countries, the focus will be on geminiviruses infecting zucchini and other cucurbitaceae. A first goal will be to obtain updated information about which geminiviruses are present in cucurbitaceae in the two countries. In the second year experiments will be devised and conducted to evaluate if a stable, effective and safe protection can be obtained against ToLCNDV using dsRNA-based vaccination.
Specific objectives of the project will be:
(I) surveying cucurbit crops for virus symptoms in both countries and collecting sample of the cultivated species and weeds nearby.
(II) Searching for geminiviruses by molecular techniques, such as Rolling Circle Amplification, a non-targeted technique capable of detecting all circular DNA molecules.
(III) Obtaining sufficient genomic data for taxonomic classification of the geminiviruses
(IV) Build up genetic relationships between virus isolates found in the two countries and compare them with previously reported ones.
(V) devise strategies for dsRNA-based vaccination against ToLCNDV to reduce crop losses.
(VI) evaluate the feasibility to use biodegradable and biocompatible nanocapsules to deliver active dsRNA molecules
(VII) investigate the stability of the delivery complex containing the dsRNAs, and its biosafety.
(VIII) evaluate, by an in silico approach, the risk of dsRNAs off-targets.
Deadline 31/10/2020
Programme ACCORDI BILATERALI CNR/HCST-NCRD biennio 2018-2019 2018-2019
Institute IPSP – Institute for sustainable plant protection
Contact Gianpaolo Accotto gianpaolo.accotto@cnr.it
Link https://www.cnr.it/it/accordi-bilaterali/progetto/2759/tomato-leaf-curl-new-delhi-virus-ed-altri-gemimivirus-alieni-o-emergenti-una-seria-minaccia-per-le-produzioni-orticole-in-italia-e-giordania
Role PARTNER