January 25,  2001

Plant Research International has signed an agreement with Syngenta on a project aimed at sequencing the DNA of Mycosphaerella graminicola, the major pathogen of wheat. The research is an attempt to find leads for new, more specific and environmentally friendlier ways of protecting crops. It also aims to establish a better understanding of the interaction between the fungus and the plant. This interaction can then be exploited to develop wheat cultivars with durable resistance to the fungus.

Working together, Syngenta and Plant Research International have the expertise, the infrastructure and the equipment available to sequence the DNA of this wheat pathogen. The partners have access to a large quantity of DNA fragments that are known to become active when the fungus is present in the plant.

Economy and ecology

Mycosphaerella graminicola causes the disease Septoria tiritici leaf blotch in wheat. The disease
annually threatens the European wheat crop and farmers currently use fungicides in order to protect their crops (ca. 30% of the total fungicide input, worth ca. 0.4 billion euros). By studying the DNA of the fungus it will be possible to develop a more environmentally friendly crop protection using smaller quantities of fungicide. This can be done by making use of the specific characteristics of the fungus that come to light during the DNA research. One solution could be to develop compounds that intervene with the gene products that play a central role in the organism’s metabolism.

In addition, a better understanding of the relation between the fungus and the plant could also be used to disrupt that relationship. In this way durably resistant wheat cultivars or innovative plant health promoters could be developed.

Genetics

Plant Research International’s know-how and expertise on the genetic make-up of the fungus is
unrivalled. The company was the first in the world to succeed in crossing two forms of the fungus with each other. This culminated in a number of unique results, such as the construction of a genetic map of the fungus. Using this map, several genes were localised and cloned, including a gene that triggers the plant’s resistance mechanism. This was the first time such genes had been found in this fungus.

Plant Research International’s facilities for sequencing and bioinformatics are among Europe’s largest. Some 1,500,000 DNA building blocks can be analyzed on a daily basis. Not only is Plant Research International a leader in European research, it is also working closely with the Dutch Strategic Action Plan on Genomics. This plan aims to give the Netherlands a significant position in the global race to obtain an understanding of the function of DNA.

Syngenta is the world’s leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection, and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 1999 were approximately US $7 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and in London, New York, Stockholm. Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. 

Company news release
N3344