Plant Pathology

Dr Mark Stevens

Research Group Leader

Objectives

The main emphasis of the centre is developing strategies for the control of diseases of sugar beet. Emphasis is placed on improving the level of resistance to diseases in the UK beet crop using genes derived from wild Beta species. In particular, more effective and durable forms of resistance to rhizomania, combining resistance to both the virus and its vector Polymyxa, including transgenic "non-host resistance" genes.

The centre also carries out research in other arable crops including cereals and oilseed rape, including the use of molecular markers to understand host-defence mechanisms and new disease strategies in response to climate change and new chemistry. Fungicide resistance development in pathogens.

Main Research Projects

• New sources of disease resistance and their exploitation through the use of molecular markers.
• Resistance to pathogens and their vectors, notably Polymyxa betae, the vector of rhizomania.
• Fungicidal control of foliar diseases.
• New disease strategies in response to climate change.