Date of Report: December 31,
2002
Name and Address of Organization:
Cornell University, 245 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY
14853
Name and Title of the Contact
Person: Dr. Ronnie Coffman, Chairman Executive Committee,
Associate Dean for Research Director of Ag Expt. Station
Name and Title of Person Preparing
Report: Dr. K.V. Raman, Executive Director
Time period covered
in report: April 16, 2002 to December 31, 2002
________________________________________________________________
Progress April 16, 2002 to December
31, 2002
The first phase of the Cornell-Eastern Europe-Mexico International
Collaborative Project in Potato Late Blight Control (CEEM)
project was completed in December 2002. The Atlantic Philanthropies
(TAP) start-up-grant of $2.3 million enabled Cornell to bring
together scientists from the U.S.A., Mexico, Peru, Poland,
Ireland, Scotland and Russia to conduct research on potato
late blight from different perspectives. CEEM facilitated
projects contributed to: 1) potato cultivars adapted to long
days with high levels of late blight resistance; 2) increased
understanding of the basic biology, epidemiology, and life
history of the Phytophthora infestans; 3) provided
an infrastructure that enabled plant breeders, plant pathologists,
and U.S.A. and international scientists conduct experiments
in the Toluca Valley, Mexico, the presumed center of origin
of the late blight causing pathogen; 4) increased the understanding
of factors influencing late blight in New York, Mexico, and
Eastern European potato productions systems; and 5) enhanced
the knowledge of the potential stability of new and traditional
methods of managing late blight.
Many useful control components for integrated late blight
management developed in CEEM projects are now being used in
implementing locally adapted integrated disease and pest management
programs to control late blight. CEEM and its collaborators
published important research findings in several scientific
journals and in other news media.
An external review committee evaluated the progress and impact
of the first phase of the CEEM project, and indicated that
there is a compelling need to continue the CEEM project to
a final phase of six more years, to promote high priority
late blight projects in the Russian Federation, and a few
selected countries in Eastern Europe. There is a strong possibility
that TAP may extend its support for three more years beginning
Jan 03.
During the first phase of CEEM, significant
accomplishments were made in:
1) project accomplishments;
2) proposals/agreements for partnerships for research and technology
transfer; 3) conferences/field days; 4) publications, and 5)
fund raising. Accomplishments made in each of these
areas have been submitted to TAP in previous annual reports.
In this report, we report significant activities conducted from
April 16, 2002 to December 31, 2002.
Back to Top_________________________________________________________________
1. Project Accomplishments
Cornell University
1.1 Drs. Walter De Jong and Robert L. Plaisted continue to
develop and make available new sources of improved potato
varieties with high yield, and late blight resistance. The
potato varieties given to a private seed producing company
(Dokagene) in Russia for multiplication and distribution to
the small farms (dachas) are:
Reba--A mid-season variety bred for both the potato-chip market
and table use. It is resistant to the golden nematode and
moderately resistant to early blight, verticillium wilt, and
scab.
Salem --A mid-season potato with high-yielding ability, bred
for table stock. It is resistant to the golden nematode, and
scab.
Keuka Gold --A yellow-flesh potato, good for boiling, flavor
and high yields. It is resistant to scab, and golden nematodes.
Eva --A bright-white-skin potato, good for boiling. It is
resistant to the mosaic virus, golden nematode and scab, and
can be stored for a long time.
Pike--A round potato with a buff skin, good for making potato
chips. It is resistant to golden nematode, and scab.
New York 128 --A white, round potato for chipping. This offspring
of New York 121 is resistant to the golden nematode, and late
blight.
New York 121 potato--that is also able to fend off golden
nematodes, scab and potato virus Y (PVY).
1.2 Russian researchers have now developed a transgenic potato
variety, Nevsky, for resistance to late blight. CEEM, at the
request of Cornell Researchers (Drs. Bill Fry and Walter De
Jong), has contacted USDA-ARS for introduction and future
field, and laboratory testing.
1.3 Field trials to identify additional promising late blight
resistant potato varieties continue to be supported in Mexico,
Russia, and Poland. In Mexico, the Toluca field trials comprised
of field screening of over 3,000 potato accessions obtained
from collaborators in the U.S.A. In Poland, the materials
obtained from the N. I. Vavilov Institute for Plant Research
(VIR), Russia, were tested for tuber resistance, and promising
potato clones were identified. In Russia, field and laboratory
trials were initiated with NY 121.
1.4 Russian researchers of the N.I. Vavilov Institute for
Plant Research (Drs. Elena Rogozina and coworkers) completed
several field trials in kitchen garden plots (dachas) in the
St. Petersburg area. Materials identified in this study will
now be multiplied. Additional demonstration trials are planned
for next year.
1.5 Researchers at Cornell University (Dr. Fry and colleagues),
and the Institute of Phytopathology (VNIIF), Russia (Drs.
Fillipov and coworkers) continue to scan all available isolates
of the late blight pathogen. Data from these studies are helping
to determine the distribution of aggressive races of this
pathogen in important potato growing areas of Russia.
Back to Top
_________________________________________________________________
2.1 The Potato Late Blight Network for Europe lead by Scottish
Crops Research Institute (SCRI) and CEEM
agreed to collaborate in Phase II of CEEM in Eastern Europe.
Specific work details will be finalized
in 2003.
2.2 CEEM and USDA-FAS developed a collaborative proposal
for work in Russia. As a part of this proposal a Cornell team
will be conducting an on-farm assessment of potato production
problems, and identifying future projects.
2.3 The agreements for the transfer of the genetically engineered
potato variety “Nevsky” from Russia to the U.S.A.
were completed.
2.4 CEEM and the USDA-FAS finalized and implemented the collaborative
planning workshop cum field
visit on late blight in Russia.
2.5 CEEM and Frito Lay finalized an agreement to test proprietary
potato germplasm in Toluca, Mexico.
The trials were completed in September 2002.
2.6 CEEM and Colgate University with support
from USDA-FAS have finalized a consultative study to be initiated
March 03 in Russia. The study will identify and propose new
projects for implementation in Russia.
Back to Top _________________________________________________________________
3. Conferences/Field Days
3.1 In August 2002 scientists representing the USA, U.K.,
Poland, and Russia attended the field visits and lectures.
As a result of this workshop, several new funding and project
opportunities have been identified for future work.
3.2 Over 60 scientists and growers attended the Potato Show
and Tell event organized by the Cornell potato breeder during
Nov. 02. New promising potato varieties developed by Cornell
were demonstrated.
3.3 CEEM researchers participated in potato
related scientific meetings held in Germany, Russia, Poland,
Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.A. Several important presentations
were made at these meetings. Participation in these meetings
enables sharing of knowledge, and determining new ways to manage
late blight.
Back to Top_________________________________________________________________
4.1 CEEM continues to get substantial media coverage. Late
blight research and specific project work was
Covered by the Cornell News Service, and other newspapers,
and magazines. The prestigious Science
Magazine in its November 29th issue published a news
feature on potato late blight.
4.2 CEEM researchers have published many important scientific
publications in many peer-reviewed journals. The findings
in these publications continue to be used by many potato programs
worldwide to develop integrated approaches to manage late
blight. For a listing of 88 articles published, see Appendix
1.
4.3 The CEEM home page continues to be updated
frequently. The site continues to be a major source of
information.
Back to Top_________________________________________________________________
5. Future Work
5.1 CEEM Phase II will begin in January 2003. Details of the
work to be conducted in this final phase of CEEM was submitted
to TAP. A high priority will be placed on the development of
specific late blight management projects in eastern Europe with
the participation of scientists from Poland, Scotland, Mexico,
Peru, U.K. Russia, and the U.S.A. Both the public and private
sector will be participating in these projects. There is strong
interest to create an Eastern European network on potato late
blight management with participation of Cornell University,
and many other national programs in Eastern Europe. The work
proposed in CEEM Phase II will allow the implementation of applied
projects at the farm level with opportunities for impact assessment
studies.
Back to Top
_________________________________________________________________
Appendix 1
Selected Publications 2002-1996
2001-2002
Cornell University
Bellaby, M. 2002. Russian potato farms battle Colorado beetle
and late blight. Associate Press, August 27.
Campi, E. 2002. Gift for Russia: a special
potato. Ithaca Journal. August 16.
Fry, W. E. 2001. International trade and late blight of tomatoes
and potatoes. Phytopathology 91:S153.
Friedlander, B.P. 2002. CU-bred potato will
aid Russian Farmers in late-blight battle. Cornell Chronicle,
August 15. Cornell University.
Friedlander, B.P. 2002. To Russia with love: CU delegation
delivers new potato varieties, and hope. Cornell Chronicle,
August 29. Cornell University.
Garelek, Glenn, 2002. Taking the Bite Out
of Potato Late Blight. Science Magazine November 29,
Vol. 298, p. 1702-1704.
Gavino, P. D. and W. E. Fry 2002. Diversity in and evidence
for selection on the mitochondrial genome of Phytophthora
infestans. Mycologia: (in press).
Mexico
Grünwald, N. J., E. G. Serranto, G. R. Montes, G. Olaya
and W. E. Fry. 2001. Sensitivity and resistance of the Toluca
Valley population of Phytophthora infestans to fungicides.
Phytopathology 91: S33.
Grünwald, N. J.,Cadena Hinojosa, M., Rubio-Covarrubias,
O. A. Rivera Peña, S., Niederhauser, J. S., and Fry,
W. E. F.2002. Potato cultivars from the Mexican national program:
sources and durability of resistance against late blight.
Phytopathology.
Grünwald, N. J., E. G, Montes, GR, Lozoya-Saldaña,
H., Rubio-Covarrubias, O., Fry, W.E.F. 2002. Potato Late Blight
Management in the Toluca Valley: Field Validation of SimCast
Modified for Cultivars with High Field Resistance. Plant
Disease, Vol. 86 (10), 1163-1168.
Grünwald, N. J., M. A. Cadena-Hinojosa, O. Rubio-Covarrubias,
A. Rivera-Peña, J. S. Niederhauser and W. E. Fry. 2002.
Potato cultivars from the Mexican national potato program:
Sources and durability of resistance against late blight.
Phytopathology 92 (7), 688:693.
Mayton, H., G. A. Forbes, E. S. G. Mizubuti
and W. E. Fry. 2001. The roles of three fungicides in the epidemiology
of potato late blight. Plant Disease 85(9), 1006-1012.
Grünwald, Niklaus J., and Mateo Cadena-Hinojosa. 2002.
Formation and distribution of oospores of Phytophthora
infestans at the center of origin. USDA-ARS, Prosser.
Raman, K.V. 2002. Applying Grades and Standards
for Reducing Pesticide Residues to Access Global Markets. In:
Food Security and Environment Quality. Lewis Publisher 215-228.
Raman, K.V., E. Grafius and K. Maredia. 2002.
The influence of biotechnology on integrated pest management
in developing countries. In: Global Integrated Pest Management.
Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A. (in Press)
Coffman, W.R. and K. V. Raman. 2002. Integrated
Control of Potato Late Blight. Submitted to: http://132.236.226.24/Impact/index.htm.
East Europe
Elansky, S., A. Smirnov, Y. Dyakov, A. Dolgova, A. Filippov,
B. Kozlovsky, I. Kozlovskaya, P. Russo, C. Smart, and W. E.
Fry. 2001. Genotypic Analysis of Russian Isolates of Phytophthora
infestans form the Moscow Region, Siberia and Far East.
Journal of Phytopathology 149, 605-611.
Filippov, Alexei V. 2002. Distribution and possible origin
of Phytophthora infestans in the Moscow region. In:
Conference proceedings: Scientific provision of potato production
in Russia: state and problems." All Russian Potato Research
Institute, Moscow, Russia p. 313-324.
Flier, W. G., N. J. Grünwald, W. E. Fry and L. J. Turkensteen.
2001. Formation, production and viability of oospores of Phytophthora
infestans from potato and Solanum demissum in the Toluca
Valley, central Mexico. Mycology Research 105:998-1006,
Part 8, August.
Rozovskaya, L. 2002. “Russians Explode
The Dacha Myth.” Panos, Moscow, Russia. August
27.
2000-2001
Cornell University
Aylor, D. E., Fry, W. E., Mayton, H. and Andrade-Piedra, J.
2001. Quantifying the rate of release and escape of Phytophthora
infestans sporangia from a potato canopy. Phytopathology
91.
Cianchetti, J., Mayton, H., Jaime-Garcia, R. and Fry, W.
E. 2000. Examination of fungicides for control of potato late
blight, 1999. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 55: 194.
Fry, W. E. 2000. Phytophthora infestans. Encyclopedia
of Microbiology. San Diego, Academic Press. 3: 633-639.
Fry, W. E., Forbes, G. A. and Erselius, L. J. 2000. A novel
A2 population of Phytophthora similar to P. infestans
attacks wild Solanum species in Ecuador. Phytopathology
90: 197-202.
Fry, W. E., Mayton, H. S., Cianchetti, J. and Jaime-Garcia,
R. 2000. Update on new late blight strains and their management.
New York State Vegetable/Berry Growers Meeting, Syracuse NY,
Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Fry, W. E., Smart, C. D. and Grünwald,
N. J. 2000. Migrations of
Phytophthora infestans awaken
plant breeders.
Phytopathology 90 (6): S94.
Back to Top
