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Improving sustainable crop protection using population genetics concepts
  • +10
  • Méline Saubin,
  • Clémentine Louet,
  • Lydia Bousset,
  • Frédéric Fabre,
  • Pascal Frey,
  • Isabelle Fudal,
  • Frédéric Grognard,
  • Frederic Hamelin,
  • Ludovic Mailleret,
  • Solenn Stoeckel,
  • Suzanne Touzeau,
  • Benjamin Petre,
  • Fabien Halkett
Méline Saubin
INRAE

Corresponding Author:meline.saubin@inrae.fr

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Clémentine Louet
INRAE
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Lydia Bousset
INRAE
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Frédéric Fabre
INRAE
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Pascal Frey
INRAE
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Isabelle Fudal
INRAE
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Frédéric Grognard
INRIA
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Frederic Hamelin
AGROCAMPUS OUEST - Centre de Rennes
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Ludovic Mailleret
INRIA
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Solenn Stoeckel
INRAE
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Suzanne Touzeau
INRIA
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Benjamin Petre
INRAE
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Fabien Halkett
INRAE
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Abstract

Growing genetically resistant plants allows pathogen populations to be controlled and reduces the use of chemicals. However, pathogens can quickly overcome such resistance. In this context, how can we achieve sustainable crop protection? This crucial question has remained largely unanswered despite decades of intense debate and research effort. In this study, we used a bibliographic analysis to show that the research field of resistance durability has evolved into three subfields: (i) ‘plant breeding’ (generating new genetic material), (ii) ‘molecular interactions’ (exploring the molecular dialogue governing plant–pathogen interactions) and (iii) ‘epidemiology and evolution’ (explaining and forecasting of pathogen population dynamics resulting from selection pressure(s) exerted by resistant plants). We argue that this triple split of the field impedes integrated research progress and ultimately compromises the sustainable management of genetic resistance. After identifying a gap among the three subfields, we argue that the theoretical framework of population genetics could bridge this gap. Indeed, population genetics formally explains the evolution of all heritable traits, and allows genetic changes to be tracked along with variation in population dynamics. This provides an integrated view of pathogen adaptation, notably via evolutionary–epidemiological feedbacks. In this Opinion Note, we detail examples illustrating how such a framework can better inform best practice for developing and managing genetically resistant cultivars.
06 Apr 2022Submitted to Molecular Ecology
06 Apr 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jun 20221st Revision Received
24 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
15 Aug 2022Published in Molecular Ecology. 10.1111/mec.16634