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Last update:
03/12/2010 |
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Objectives and benefits
Main/primary objectives
The
main objective of this Action is the enhancement and exchange of
scientific knowledge and technologies related to phytoplasma diseases,
through the establishment of a multidisciplinary scientific European
Network, aimed at developing strategies to detect and prevent biological
invasion, and the spread of phytoplasma diseases of plants.
Secondary objectives
The
Action will strengthen and consolidate existing European networks
through the following secondary objectives:
develop
and optimize diagnostic strategies/protocols based on innovative
molecular tools for phytoplasmas in the European Union;
establish core collections of phytoplasma strains for use in development
of rapid diagnosis of disease and for reference;
establish a network for vector population monitoring;
design
integrated and innovative management strategies for sustainable disease
control;
promote
an international response to disease threats by networking countries on
the front-line of disease outbreaks with vulnerable, but disease-free
countries;
promote
a basic understanding of diseases by establishing a systems biology
platform;
support
national plant protection organizations and European organizations (e.g.
EPPO) by providing data and extension materials on phytoplasma diseases;
transfer
innovations rapidly to end-user groups (i.e., SMEs, plant protection
organizations, plant inspection services, grower groups);
train
early-stage researchers and scientists from less developed regions of
the COST countries with the most friendly and innovative technological
knowledge;
provide
training of plant protection officers in countries threatened by
biological invasion by diseases (including diagnostic, monitoring and
quarantine procedures);
increase
public awareness of phytoplasma diseases.
Emphasis will be placed on filling gaps in national awareness of
phytoplasma disease threats, and on procedures to rapidly detect and
combat phytoplasma invasions in European agro-ecosystems.
How will the objectives be achieved?
The
objectives will be achieved through close cooperation of the
laboratories involved. Working Groups will be established that hold
regular meetings enabling rapid presentation and discussion of recent
scientific data. The proceedings of these meetings will be published on
a dedicated website that will be established through this Action, and a
Newsletter with graphic fact-sheets describing diseases and
control/prevention options will be produced to alert other interested
parties (e.g. EPPO, grower groups, plant inspection services,
agro-industries etc.). The website will also provide bioinformatics data
in a standard format to facilitate dissemination of collaborative
progress. Public awareness of phytoplasma diseases will be enhanced
through publication in non-scientific journals, and in an open access
website domain. Exchange programmes for early-stage researchers and
scientists with short term scientific missions (STSMs), exchange of
materials, and training workshops in diagnostics and in other key
methodologies will be managed through the Action. The progress of both
primary and secondary objectives will be monitored mainly through
progress reports and the evaluation of milestones listed in part E.
Benefits of the Action
To
the scientific community: the main benefit of this Action will be to
increase the competitiveness of European phytoplasma research in the
world arena. The results of this will be accelerated research progress,
increased publications and the development and transfer to end users of
strategies to control these diseases. The multi-disciplinary nature of
the Action will enable researchers from a range of disciplines (e.g.
pathologists, geneticists, diagnosticians, molecular biologists,
entomologists) who share a common interest (phytoplasma), but do not
regularly interact at scientific conferences, to meet and exchange
innovative ideas, and will in turn lead to the establishment of new
networks and further EU research projects (e.g. FP7).
To
society and the environment: understanding mechanisms of phytoplasma
diseases will result in improved methods for disease control, including
a more targeted and effective use of insecticides, such that there
overall usage and the environmental damage they cause, is reduced. The
reduction in crop losses will improve agricultural productivity which in
turn will help drive down the costs and increasing the quality to the
consumer for foodstuffs.
For employment: a concerted European Action on phytoplasma diseases and
the increased competitiveness of the research that results from this
will not only improve the skill bases of phytoplasma researchers across
Europe, but will also ensure that future opportunities are available for
early-stage researchers to pursue careers in this area.
For European research: this Action will include a large number of former
Eastern European countries where agriculture and the rural economy
employs significant numbers of workers, and where phytoplasma diseases
have a major impact on productivity. The integration of researchers from
these countries into the framework will ensure that they can obtain the
best and most relevant and innovative training in new technologies. In
turn, the old COST countries will gain a greater understanding of the
distribution of phytoplasma diseases and of their vectors in the new
COST countries, and will be better able to monitor the spread of these
diseases and protect the agricultural industries against disease spread
across Europe, increasing in the same time the quality of food stuff.
For developing nations and the global economy: phytoplasma diseases are
a significant problem in developing countries such as Africa, Asia and
South and Central America. European researchers have been actively
involved for many years in phytoplasma research in these countries
through EU and National Government funded programmes, and there are
current projects that address the Millennium Development Goals. The
enhanced competitiveness of European research into phytoplasmas with
innovative methodology that results from this Action will maintain and
improve the position of European scientists to contribute to research
programmes and collaborations with scientists from developing countries,
targeted at improving agricultural productivity and addressing these
Millennium Development Goals.
Target groups/end users
The
improvements to diagnostic, detection and vector monitoring systems will
aid plant health inspectors and quarantine services to reduce the risk
of spread of phytoplasma diseases into and within Europe. Appropriate
and coordinated use of control methods will improve crop management and
provide financial benefit to the farming and agricultural industries
both in the COST countries and in developing countries. An improved
understanding of fundamental phytoplasma biology will enhance the
competitiveness of European research scientists and also allow the
availability of germplasm material that can have reduced impact from phytoplasma
diseases.
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