John Carr - Translating basic research on insect-plant interactions to aid in the protection of beans in East Africa
Duration: 25 mins 54 secs
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About this item
| Description: | The audio of a talk from Plenary 2. |
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| Created: | 2015-07-13 15:26 |
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| Collection: |
Global Food Security Cambridge Symposium 2015
Global Food Security |
| Publisher: | University of Cambridge |
| Copyright: | Will Simonson |
| Language: | eng (English) |
| Abstract: | Beans are a vital crop in eastern and central Africa. Not only do they act as a natural fertilizer by enriching the soil with fixed-nitrogen, they are also an essential part of the regional diet because they are rich in protein and micronutrients such as iron. But aphid-transmitted viruses pose a serious risk to beans and other major crops, resulting in large losses.
Two of the main viruses are bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV). Although some bean varieties are resistant to BCMV these plants are killed by BCMNV, which is endemic to East Africa. Thus, novel approaches are needed to protect the crop in this region. Researchers from the University of Cambridge showed that virus infection alters plant biochemistry to attract aphids that transmit these viruses. Our international team (Cambridge with Partners in Kenya and Uganda as well as in the UK at Rothamsted Research) is using a combination of molecular analysis, mathematical models and field observations to identify how to select and deploy plants that could act as decoys for aphids by attracting them away from beans and other crops. |
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