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Spider mites are one of the major pests in agriculture. They feed on over 1000 plant species and have rapid development (generation time of 7 days in a hot season). They represent a key pest for greenhouse crops, annual field crops and many horticultural crops. They are widespread in Canada. Spider mites cause yellow flecks on the leaf surface, and upon heavy infestation, leaves become pale, brittle and covered in webbing. This damage can cause severe reduction in yield.
The use of chemical pesticides is the predominant method of controlling spider mites. However, due to their short generation time and high reproduction rate, spider mites have developed resistance to the major pesticide groups, presenting a major challenge to control them. Currently, there are no cultivars resistant to spider mites.
Spider mites are particularly important pests for the Canadian greenhouse vegetables. There are more then 1700 acres of greenhouse vegetables only in Ontario, representing the greatest concentration of greenhouses in North America. Spider mites cause significant damage to greenhouse tomato, cucumber and pepper crops, whose combined farm gate value was more then $550 million in the 2006/07 production year.
Computer modeling studies suggest that with intensifying global warming the significance of pests will dramatically increase. Given the short generation time and high reproduction rate of spider mites, it is expected that spider mites will become one of the major pests for the Canadian field crops as well. Devastating effects of spider mites are already creating enormous problems for the agricultural production in the Southern Europe.
This proposal builds on a novel pest genomic resource, the whole-genome sequence of the spider mite. The genome-sequencing project, led by the Canadian investigator Prof. Miodrag Grbic and funded by the US Department of Energy, will generate one of the first genome sequences of a pest herbivore.
Here, we propose to utilize the genome sequence data in order to create tools and technologies for new spider mite control strategies. We have created a multidisciplinary group that combines genomics, bioinformatics, genetics, biochemistry, population biology, plant biotechnology and plant breeding, in order to:
- Annotate the genome of the T. urticae and develop a spider mite whole genome expression microarray;
- Analyze natural variation of plant resistance to spider mites using high-throughput genomic technologies;
- Perform pest transcriptome profiling to characterize the consequences of feeding on resistant and susceptible plants;
- Create pest-resistant transgenic plants targeting various pest genes;
- Test the efficiency of the transgenic plants on pests and non-target organisms.
We will develop novel, environmentally sound pest control strategies that will replace chemical pesticides and will reduce environmental pollution and energy consumption in agriculture. To the best of our knowledge, the approach combining plant and pest genomics, focused on the systematic dissection of plant-herbivore interactions, will be used for the first time to develop sustainable pest control strategies. At the same time, this project will create opportunities for an outstanding training for personnel involved in its realization, increasing Canadian competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy.
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