PhD Studentship Comparative analysis of grapevine genotypes with different levels of resistance to downy mildew
The Research and Innovation Centre (CRI) is part of Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), a public research institution established by thegovernment of the Autonomous Province of Trento. CRI-FEM is located in Trentino (the North of Italy) and supports studies in the field of agriculture, nutrition and environment, with the aim of sharing knowledge and contributing to economic growth, social development and overall improvement of life quality.
Project description:
Downy mildew (DM) is a widespread disease of grape caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, an invasive species native to North America. This pathogen can infect grapevine cultivars as well as wild Vitis species. However, while the cultivars are highly susceptible, most of the wild species are relatively resistant. The disease is currently controlled by the application of fungicides, yet the demand for organic products is increasing and concerns that these chemicals have harmful effect on the environment and human health require growers to reduce the use of pesticides in fruit production.
Natural sources of disease resistance could be found in geographic regions where populations of pathogens and host plants co-evolve. Thus, germplasm of several Vitis species native to temperate zones of North America has been investigated for the genetic base of DM resistance. It may be possible to transfer resistance to DM from these wild grape species into susceptible domesticated grapevines, but the consequences of so-called “linkage drag” of undesired traits could not be completely eliminated, even after several cycles of backcrossing.
Recently, single local grapevine varieties of Near Eastern origin have attracted attention, because of their lower susceptibility to DM. These plants, unlike most of grapevine cultivars, have leaves and fruits without symptoms of disease during the growing season. Such natural sources of resistance to non-native pathogens stimulate genetic investigations and are of great significance for developing alternative resistance-breeding strategies.
In this project, the PhD student will use different integrative approaches to characterize these important accessions of V. vinifera, as well as to identify and mine genes and alleles associated with plant resistance to DM. The long term objective of this PhD research is to ultimately enable effective transfer of natural resistance to the most severe disease affecting fruit quality into future plant material, and to reduce the need for using fungicides, which will make grapevine cultivation more environment-friendly.
The successful candidate must have or expect to obtain a minimum of a Master’s degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent qualification. Oral and writing skills in English are required to a high standard.
The studentship offers a stipend of euro 20,000 per annum and is funded to pay tuition fees. The expected start date is September 2013 and the funding is provided for 3 years with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The student will be based at FEM, San Michele all’Adige (Trentino), but will spend part of the time at the JKI – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (Siebeldingen, Germany) and at the University of Milan (Italy).
Electronic applications can be submitted via the CRI-FEM website http://cri.fmach.eu/education/Applications-Forms/application-form-FIRS-T-Second-Call-2013
For further information about the project and selection procedure, please visit the website at http://cri.fmach.eu/education/selection/FIRS-T-Second-Call-2013 (select project A_1) and http://cri.fmach.eu/education/selection.
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday, 24 May 2013 at 18.00 CET.
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