Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are launching a new project aimed at combatting plant diseases transmitted by psyllid insects, with a specific focus on zebra chip disease, which has long plagued potato production.
Funded by a $682,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this three-year research project will examine how the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum affects plant and insect immune systems, contributing to agricultural losses, according to a press release.
“Our research project aims to identify long-term solutions that help producers and the environment,” says Julien Levy, PhD., an AgriLife Research scientist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. “The only management system in place right now is using pesticides to limit disease spread by insects.”
Impact of Zebra Chip Disease
Zebra chip disease disrupts the nutrient transport systems in plants such as potatoes and tomatoes. When infected potatoes are processed into chips, they display dark stripes, which is how the disease got its name. Historically, if even one infected potato was found in a batch, the entire lot had to be discarded.
“This disease has resulted in massive economic losses,” says Cecilia Tamborindeguy, PhD., professor in the Department of Entomology. “While pesticides have kept the disease somewhat under control, this is not a sustainable solution given rising production costs and environmental concerns.”
Levy and Tamborindeguy will study how the bacteria bypass both plant and insect immune defenses. They will investigate the proteins used by the bacteria to weaken plant defenses and explore strategies to inhibit these proteins.
“The goal is to identify those bacterial proteins blocking the plant’s defenses so we can bolster those defenses,” Levy says.
While Levy focuses on plant interactions, Tamborindeguy will examine how the bacteria affect the psyllids that transmit the disease.
“We have shown that the presence of the pathogen is also detrimental to the insect,” she says. “If we can enhance defenses in both the plant and psyllid, it will provide an additional layer of protection.”
This study builds on over a decade of research by Texas A&M scientists. Levy and Tamborindeguy have made significant contributions to understanding psyllid-transmitted pathogens and their impact on agriculture.
The researchers aim to develop solutions to control the bacteria and protect their hosts, potentially leading to the breeding of more resistant plants or the creation of biocontrol agents.
“This work not only benefits potato growers but also has implications for other crops facing similar threats,” Levy says. “By understanding pathogen diversity and interactions, we’re creating tools to safeguard future generations of crops.”
