H. S. GAURDean & Joint Director (Edu.)

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi E-mail: hsg_nema@iari.res.in

ROSANE CURTISPrincipal Scientist

Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts., UKE-mail: rosane.curtis@bbsrc.ac.uk

Multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere and the management of nematode pests and diseases

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India

Prof. Hari S. GaurDr. Uma RaoDr. Anil SirohiDr. PankajDr. Sharad Mohan

Strong nematology research and teaching programme

Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK

Prof. Brian KerryDr. Keith G. DaviesDr. Rosane CurtisDr. Penny HirschDr. Tony Miller

Strong soil function and rhizosphere biology programme

UKIERI Standard Award, 2007Multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere and the

management of nematode pests and diseases

Partners

India• Population: 1200 million• Food production: 230 m tonnes• Population engaged in agriculture: 60%• Share of GDP from Agriculture: 18%• Wide range of agroclimate and soils:

– Temperate – Sub-tropical - Tropical – Arid - Sub-humid - humid– Sandy – Loam - Clay

• Wide variety of crops and farming systems• Multiple cropping, intensive cultivation• Many pest and disease problems including

nematodes

National Agricultural Research System of India

Indian Council of Agricultural Research– 4 National institutes: Deemed Universities –

IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE– 80 research institutes and national research

centres– 75 All India Coordinated Research Projects– 46 State Agricultural Universities

Focus- Research: Fundamental and applied Education: UG, PG and Doctoral Extension: Transfer of technology

INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTENew Delhi

Premier agricultural research institute

Established in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar Shifted to Delhi in 1936

Post-graduate teaching since 1923

Deemed to be University since 1958:

Grants M.Sc. & Ph.D. Degrees in 23 subjects

Indian Agricultural Research InstituteIndian Agricultural Research InstituteThe Flagship InstituteThe Flagship Institute

The seat of Green RevolutionThe seat of Green RevolutionLed India from Paucity to PlentyLed India from Paucity to Plenty

DirectorDirector

Joint Director (Research)

Joint Director (Research)

Dean and Joint Director (Education)

Dean and Joint Director (Education)

Joint Director(Extension)

Joint Director(Extension)

Joint Director(Administration)

Joint Director(Administration)

19 Divisions7 Units

9 Regional Stations

PG Disciplines22 Ph.D., 23 M.Sc.Faculty trainings Farmer Trainings

Transfer of TechnologyAgri. Tech. Centre

Extension & Social Science Trainings, Demonstrations

AdministrationBudget

Maintenance

400 Scientists, 700 Technicians, 700 Supporting Staff, 400 Administrative Staff19 Divisions, 7 Units, 5 Multidisciplinary Centres650 Post-Graduate students , 200 Research Fellows/ Associates

Schools and Centres of ExcellenceSchools and Centres of ExcellenceBasic Sciences Crop

ImprovementNatural

Resource Management

Crop Protection

Social Sciences

Biochemistry Genetics Agronomy Plant Pathology

Agri. Extension

Plant Physiology

Fruit Science Soil Science & Agri.Chemistry

Entomology Agri. Economics

Biotechnology Vegetable Science

Microbiology Nematology CATAT

Molecular Biology

Floriculture & Landscaping

Environment Science

Agricultural Chemicals

KVK

Agricultural Physics

Post-Harvest Technology

Agricultural Engineering

NRCPB &

Plant Genome Centre

National Phytotron Facility

Water Technology Centre

NCCU Blue Green Algae

Agricultural Statistics

Computer - Applications

Nuclear Research Lab.

National Agri. LIBRARY

Simulations & Informatics Unit

Advanced Virology Centre

Plant Genetic Resources

Old relationship between IARI and Rothamsted• 1964: International Nematology Training Programme at

IARI: Helped by Dr. F.G.W.Jones of Rothamsted• 1989-90 & 1994-95: Dr. H.S. Gaur worked as a Visiting

Scientist at Rothamsted Research under Commonwealth, Royal Society and RI Felloships.

• 1995: Dr. Rolo Perry visited IARI.• 1996: Dr. Keith Davies, visited IARI.• 1998-99: Dr. Sharad Mohan worked at Rothamsted• 2002 & 2006: Prof. Brian Kerry visited IARI

Motives: Both research Institute had active research programmes in

nematology and rhizosphere interactions involving plant, nematodes and fungal/bacterial biocontrol organisms.

Interaction was ad-hoc. UKIERI provides opportunity for structured interaction.

Complementarities• India has several nematode problems of

economic importance in crop production, and a team of nematologists involved in applied research.

• Rothamsted research has an excellent fundamental research programme on nematode plant interactions and biological control.

• The two institutions and teams of scientists form a nice complementary group.

Relevant research interests of collaborating scientists

Prof. Hari S. Gaur Nematode ecology, physiology and integrated nematode management

Dr. Uma Rao Molecular diagnostics and

host plant resistance

Dr. Anil Sirohi Molecular basis of plant-nematode interaction

Dr. Pankaj Biological control and plant resistance

Dr. Sharad Mohan Biological control, entomopathogenic nematodes and bacteria, eg. Pasteuria and Photorhabdus

Rothamsted Research

Nematode Interactions Unit

UKIERI

Root Health – Water and nutrient use efficiency in crops in view of predicted climate change

Relevant research interests of collaborating scientists

Prof. Brian Kerry Biological control (Fungi) and nematode management

Dr. Keith G. Davies Invertebrate pathology, Biological control (Bacteria)

Dr. Rosane Curtis Molecular basis of plant-nematode interaction, host recognition

Dr. Penny Hirsch Soil microbial biodiversity, metagenomics

Dr. Tony Miller Plant physiology, nutrient uptake and transfer in nematode infected plants

UKIERI Project: Objectives

Understanding host recognition processes and identify novel targets for selective chemical and genetic intervention.

Determine the role of diversity in the rhisosphere microbial community in supporting plant growth and identify key groups, processes and/or genes that underpin soil quality and the biological control of nematodes and root diseases.

Investigate the impact of soil amendments on the diversity of microbial agents in the rhizosphere and thier impact on plant parasitic nematodes.

Develop sustainable management strategies for soil borne nematode pests.

Main Focus: Root-health – Water and nutrient use efficiency in crops under predicted climate change

Exchanges of scientists and students begun

• Dr. Keith Davies visited IARI three times in 2007-08.• Prof. H.S. Gaur is currently visiting Rothamsted for 4

weeks from 15 November, 2008. Designed experiments to test the attraction of the nematodes M. graminicola and M. incognita to the roots of different host plants.

• Mr. Junaid Ali Khan, UK Ph.D. student posted to work at IARI, New Delhi starting 29th October, 2008.

• Mr. Jagadeesh Patil, Indian Ph.D. student posted to work at Rothamsted Research, UK, starting 15 November, 2008.

• More exchanges have been scheduled.

Ph.D. students’ research• Mr. Junaid Ali Khan investigates the host specificty of the

bacterium Pasteuria penetrans, which has potential to be developed into a biocontrol agent of plant parasitic nematodes.

• Mr Jagadeesh Patil, studied effect of Meloidogyne graminicola infection on the metabolism and nutrient uptake of rice plants at IARI, New Delhi. At Rothamsted he will develop these studies further and using electro-physiological techniques will study the effect of nitrogen and its uptake in rice in the presence of nematodes.

• Mr. Tushar Dutta, will study differences in interaction of M. incognita and M. graminicola on rice and tomato.

Initial Research Results

• Xenorhabdus spp. of bacteria that have an association with insect pathogenic nematodes have been shown to be able to control soil borne root pests.

• Isolates of these bacteria have been collected from soils in India and antibodies raised against Xenorhabdus bacteria have been tested for recognition of different Xenorhabdus bacterial isolates from the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema spp. from Indian soils to look at the diversity of types.

• The effect of synthetic peptides has been studied against root-knot nematodes with some initial interesting results.These peptides could reduce the reproductive potential of root-knot nematode.

• Effect of, root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola infection on the metabolism and nutrient uptake of rice plants and on grain quality has been investigated at IARI. Data indicate reduction in photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and poor resource use efficiency due to nematode infection. The protein and amylose content in grain was also reduced. The degree of reduction was negatively correlated to the level of nematode infection.

Initial Research Results Contd.

Activities after completion of the first phase• A preliminary meeting was held between the

RCUK official at New Delhi and the leaders of this UKIERI project to discuss future course.

• Possibilities of further extending the research collaboration will be explored after analysis of the findings under this project.

• A bilateral dialogue between, IARI & ICAR, India and Rothamsted Research, BBSRC and RCUK would help in ensuring future sustainability.

Viewing other activities in future

• Opportunities for collaboration on certain other aspects of nematode plant interactions.

• Opportunities of developing similar collaborative activities between some other disciplines including Microbiology, plant pathology, crop improvement, genomics, biotechnology, bioinformatics etc.

Benefits of the UKIERI project• The project has enabled the formation of cohesive teams

at the two collaborative institutes• Strategic research partnership has been established to

address scientific issues related to interactions among the plant, root parasitic nematodes and biocontrol organisms in the rhizosphere,

• Results will have implications on crop productivity and help in development of mechanisms to ameliorate some of the damage caused by the nematodes to the crops of economic importance and relevant to food security.

• Key staff exchanges have been identified and programmed to build capacity and develop the research collaboration.

Delays and difficulties• The start of actual research programme and

exchange of students took longer than expected to commence, due to administrative procedures,

• Extension of the duration of the project by one year will be required, without additional funds.

• Involvement of the collaborating scientists and students in other activities/commitments.

• In future projects, a provision to appoint temporary workers like Research/Post-Doc Fellows will be helpful.

• Due to rising prices, funds are very small.

Early Lessons

• An initial project implementation workshop between the two groups would facilitate greater clarity and smoother start.

• RCUK and relevant authorities in India should negotiate rapid and simple procedures to set up Material Transfer Agreements, which enable the ready interchange of scientific materials required to underpin the research collaboration, whilst protecting IP rights of both parties.