Crop protection from potato cyst nematodes

Hi everyone,

We are the iGEM team from the University of Groningen and our project is centered on the agricultural pests. Parasitic nematodes invade the root system of the potato plants, leading to a hampered growth, reduced tuber size and yield. As a result, the nematodes have a large financial impact on the agricultural sector (est. €460 million in Europe per year). Besides being a direct danger, nematodes can also form dormant cysts that can hatch even after 20 years. This year, we will develop RootPatch, a multibacterial root-coating agent that will secrete compounds to specifically repel the harmful nematodes. In addition, RootPatch will make the dormant cysts hatch, thus preventing the long running problem for the farmers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RootPatch now has to be developed in silico. By using population models based on empirical data we will evaluate the effectiveness of our biofilm. Modeling the physical properties of the biofilm will predict its robustness during the unforeseen environmental factors (e.g., rainfall). To gain expertise, our team is taking modeling courses and is communicating with experts.

The commonly applied nematicides, despite being quite effective, have an adverse effect on some beneficial soil organisms. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of using neuropeptides to affect the nematode’s behaviour. Given the importance of rhizobacteria for plant growth, we believe that RootPatch will combine their beneficial qualities with nematode repelling functionality to yield a novel pest control solution. Our goal is to make companies move away from using chemicals towards a more sustainable pest control strategy. This would result in a cleaner water biome and reduced pressure on the soil ecosystem. Ultimately, the same strategy could be adapted to a wide range of crops and regions, thus revolutionizing our view on crop protection.

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