Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com
The Future of Agriculture: Real-Time Monitoring of Plant Diseases
The challenge of feeding a global population exceeding 8 billion is becoming more pronounced. In this critical landscape, the Netherlands has emerged as a leading player, being the second-largest food exporter worldwide and adeptly managing the cultivation of an array of crops. Nevertheless, the threat posed by plant diseases, such as downy mildew, looms large, potentially jeopardizing farmers’ harvests. In response, a team of researchers at Delft University of Technology has introduced an innovative method that enables the real-time monitoring of plant infections without harming the plants themselves. This advancement holds promise for the development of new crop varieties that are resistant to diseases, which, in turn, could lead to increased yields and decreased reliance on pesticides. The findings have been documented in the journal Nature Communications.
Crucial Developments in Crop Resistance
For lettuce farmers, crop varieties that can withstand various diseases, particularly downy mildew, are highly sought after. This prevalent disease manifests as yellow or brown spots on the upper leaf surfaces and poses a significant threat to plant health. Researchers at Delft have been studying this ailment, focusing on the fact that visible symptoms of downy mildew generally only appear in the later stages of infection. Jos de Wit, a physicist involved in the research, elucidates the dynamic nature of the disease, which, akin to the coronavirus, evolves continually, developing new variants capable of infecting previously resistant plants. This constant evolution presents a challenge for scientists and breeders who must consistently strive to create new resistant crop varieties.
Innovative Real-Time Tracking Technology
The collaborative efforts between Delft University of Technology and Utrecht University have birthed a groundbreaking method for imaging common plant infections. This new technique enables researchers to monitor infections in living plants, a significant leap from traditional methods that often require sacrificing the plant for examination. Associate professor Jeroen Kalkman highlights the efficiency of this technology, which allows for the real-time observation of disease progression within plants. “Previously, we had to kill the plant for each step, stain it, and then inspect it under a microscope. Now, we can visualize the disease’s development live,” he comments.
Enhancing Crop Yields and Sustainability
Understanding how infections spread within plants and discerning why certain crops may be less vulnerable is fundamental to advancing agricultural practices. The new imaging tool offers valuable insights that could lead to the cultivation of crops with enhanced resistance capabilities. Kalkman emphasizes the broader implications, stating that such crops will require fewer pesticides, be more resilient to extreme weather, and ultimately produce higher yields. “This is vital for ensuring that a growing global population can be adequately fed,” he adds.
The Mechanics of Disease Mapping
Across the research, a technique known as dynamic optical coherence tomography (dOCT) has proven essential. De Wit explains how this method works, likening it to ultrasound but using light instead of sound. The technology captures between 50 to 100 images of an infected lettuce leaf in just one and a half seconds, allowing detailed mapping of the disease progression. The pathogens, which exhibit more movement than the surrounding plant cells, are distinctly visible when color is used to highlight these areas of increased activity. Without this advanced imaging technique, signs of the disease would often only become apparent at much later stages.
Expanding Applications and Future Prospects
The potential applications of this innovative tool extend beyond lettuce, showing effectiveness in other crops, such as radishes and peppers infested with parasitic roundworms. However, to maximize its impact, the researchers acknowledge that further development is required to make this technology accessible to biologists who may lack technical training. Kalkman expresses his enthusiasm for advancing this research to close the gap between technological innovation and practical biological application.
This study was conducted in collaboration with experts from Guido Van den Ackerveken’s group at Utrecht University and the vegetable and fruit breeding company Rijk Zwaan.
Source
www.sciencedaily.com