A comparative study of the plant-pathogen interaction in different genotypes and organs of grapevine (Vitis spp.), based on optimized screening methods for resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola - Berk. & Curt.)

Supervisor: Riccardo Velasco (FEM)

Co-supervisors: Silvia Vezzulli(FEM), Rita Musetti (UniUD)

Grapevine downy mildew (DM), caused by the biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & Curt.) Berl. & de Toni, is one of the most important plagues affecting viticulture, especially in humid climates. This disease is currently controlled with the massive use of fungicides, which has considerable economic costs as well as a relevant negative impact on environment, human health, and public perception. Using resistant grapevine varieties, through breeding programs, is a cost-efficient way to control grapevine DM, which is able to differentially attack leaves and grapes. The latter represents a key point and led us to consider that the DM leaf disc in vitro tests do not always represent a good prediction of the disease impact on grape production and quality.

The aims of this project are:

i) to understand whether the plant-pathogen interaction is genotype and organ specific;

ii) to characterize at molecular level (via SSRs) various oligo-mix of DM collected in untreated fields in different years;

iii) to study the differences of gene expression among diverse genotypes and organs, upon DM infection and water treatment (control).

Biography and contacts

Daniele Buonassisi was born in 1986 in Foggia-Italy. In 2010 he under-graduated in Bio-Health Sciences (Bachelor grade 106/110) and in 2013 he graduated in Bio-Health Sciences (Master grade 110/110 summa cum laude) at the Universityof Bari (Italy). In 2014 he started his doctoral course attending the “Agriculture Science and Biotechnology” PhD school at the University of Udine.

buonassisi.daniele@spes.uniud.it, daniele.buonassisi@fmach.it