Alessandro Cabianca
PhD student
alessandro.cabianca@unine.ch
Research interests and previous work
As a budding researcher, I’m fascinated by the interactions between plant pathogens and their host plants. Since 2019, I’ve been part of Agroscope’s nematology team, working on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), soil-borne endoparasitic plant pathogens that invade host roots near the root tip, migrate to the vascular cylinder and eventually induce the formation of multinucleate giant cell clusters on which they feed. This induced cell growth leads to the formation of large structures on infected roots, called galls or knots, resulting in loss of production and/or marketing for farmers.
My work has contributed to a better understanding of these pathogens, with previous studies including research into the sterol uptake capabilities of nematodes, a study of sterol-related genes in plant defense, and the identification of nematicidal compounds in biogas digestate slurry. A better understanding of these pathogens is fundamental to modern agriculture, as root-knot nematodes are responsible for huge economic losses worldwide, and their presence in temperate regions, such as Europe, is set to increase with global warming.
Characterization of Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax from Switzerland
My PhD project will focus on two species of root-knot nematodes, namely Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax. These two plant-parasitic nematodes are quarantine pests in the EPPO region and in Switzerland, and have several economically important crops as hosts (e.g. maize, wheat, potato, rape, carrot, etc.). During my PhD, I will strive to improve our understanding of these pathogens, focusing particularly on Swiss populations.
Molecular characterization of M. chitwoodi and M. fallax will be carried out, including phylogenetic analyses of conserved genes. In this context, similarities between Swiss and international populations will be assessed, enabling possible points of entry of these pests into the country to be identified. In previous years, two races of M. chitwoodi were identified, partially differing in their host range. Our project aims to determine which of these two races is present in Switzerland, in order to make the application of crop rotation control techniques more feasible. Another promising element of MPN control is the use of resistant plants: in this study, we will test several varieties of plants apparently resistant to other root-knot nematodes against Swiss populations of M. chitwoodi and M. fallax.
Finally, in close collaboration with Agroscope’s nematological diagnostics team, we will continue to analyze positive samples of M. chitwoodi and M. fallax to enable rapid identification of putative entry points for new populations, and to identify the race of M. chitwoodi in order to advise affected farmers more effectively.
With this project, I aim to increase the information available on Swiss populations of these quarantine pests and provide farmers with the tools they need to protect their crops.
