Research Project on Xiphinema americanum funded by the European Union
A research project has recently been approved by the EU Commission, under the 4th Framework Programme, to establish diagnostic protocols enabling rapid and reliable identification of the quarantine Xiphinema americanum group species. Several of these species have the potential to transmit quarantine nepoviruses, e.g. tomato ringspot nepovirus. As part of the project it will be necessary to examine intra and interspecific relationships between the approximately 40 putative species comprising the group. This work will involve combining molecular taxonomic data with morphological data to establish a definitive list of species. The virus-vector ability of the most important, i.e., most widespread, of the species identified will be ascertained. Finally, genetic probes and poly- and monoclonal antibodies will be generated with which to identify the species which present an actual quarantine risk.
The project is being co-ordinated by Prof. Maurice Moens at the Agricultural Research Centre in Merelbeke, Belgium, and the other partners are Prof. Derek Brown (Scotland, UK), Prof. Franco Lamberti (Italy) and Dr Christine Henry (England, UK). The co-ordinator urgently requires assistance with obtaining samples containing live Xiphinema nematodes, particularly those belonging to the Xiphinema americanum group. These nematodes are required from all parts of world. If you can assist with this request please contact the co-ordinator Prof. Maurice Moens, Centrum voor Landbouwkundig Onderzoek, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; tel: +32-9-2720271; fax: +32-9-2720215; email: m.moens@clo.fgov.be
Prof Maurice Moens
Agricultural Research Centre
Department of Crop Protection
Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96
9820 Merelbeke
BELGIUM
Tel: +32 9 272.02.71
Fax: +32 9 272.02.15
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1999-01.