Memorial University receives grant to study common scab disease in potatoes

CANADA – Researchers at Memorial University are set to explore the causes behind common scab disease in potatoes, thanks to a USD240,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

The research will be led by Dr. Dawn Bignell from the university’s Department of Biology, who is investigating streptomycetes, a class of bacteria commonly found in soil.

While some streptomycetes are beneficial, others cause significant damage to crops, especially potatoes.

Common scab, characterized by brown, scabby lesions on the surface of potatoes, is a widespread issue that affects fresh market, seed, and processing potatoes.

Dr. Bignell noted, “The disease management strategies currently in use are largely ineffective or inefficient. Though the potatoes are safe to eat, the lesions significantly reduce their quality and market value, which can be devastating for farmers.”

The primary goal of the research is to understand how these bacteria cause the disease, focusing on the small toxic molecules produced by streptomycetes.

“We anticipate this knowledge will assist in the development of new disease management strategies,” Bignell explained.

The economic stakes are high, as severe cases of common scab often render potatoes unsellable, cutting into farmers’ profits.

This study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms responsible for the disease, which could lead to more effective ways to control it.

“The funding will allow us to investigate how these molecules contribute to disease development and how their production is regulated in the pathogens,” Dr. Bignell added.

Beyond benefiting the agricultural sector, the grant will provide hands-on training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

According to Dr. Bignell, “Students will gain practical technical skills in fields such as molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and plant-microbe interactions.”

She emphasized that the experience would also equip students with essential soft skills like critical thinking, project management, and teamwork.

This research is poised to make significant contributions to both science and agriculture. It also comes at a time when studies on plant health are gaining momentum globally.

Recently, Dr. Poonam Mehra from the University of Nottingham secured a USD 2.2 million grant to explore how plant roots sense water in response to climate change.

These efforts highlight the growing recognition of agriculture’s role in adapting to environmental challenges.

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