Yield, quality and shelf-life problems in lettuce due to virus infections in the UK (Ref: CTP-SAI-059)

Intensive farming and sequential plantings of lettuce crops in the UK mean lettuce is grown in the same fields for the whole season (March-October). This makes them vulnerable to plant diseases and results in a build-up of pathogens, particularly viruses. Very little is known about which viruses are infecting lettuce in the UK, the incidence of these viruses and their impact on lettuce quality and yield. In 2015 there was a major virus problem in lettuce in the UK resulting in the loss of 14 million lettuce heads that were ploughed in due to virus infection. Lettuce is predominantly grown outdoors in the UK and plant maturity can take between 6-10 weeks depending on the time of the season. The loss of neonicotinoid insecticides has resulted in the increase of insect virus vectors in crops, particularly aphids. This is exacerbated by some viruses having very wide host ranges resulting in adjacent weed species and beneficial pollinator field margins serving as reservoirs. 

Our preliminary data from the 2021 season identified two viruses within a crop in Cambridgeshire. Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) was found infecting both lettuce and adjacent weed species. TuYV infection was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. TuYV was by far the most frequent virus detected and is known to have a significant effect on the quality, development, yield (up to 65% reduction) and storability of vegetable brassicas and incidences of up to 100% have been reported for TuYV in oilseed rape (OSR) and vegetable brassica crops, providing a reservoir of the virus. Other than TuYV, the only other viruses that have been reliably and conclusively identified in lettuce crops in the UK in recent years are cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV, which is seed-borne) in 2015.

OBJECTIVES AND APPROACHES

The main project objectives are:

1. To determine what are the current virus species infecting UK lettuce crops
2. Investigate the virome of lettuce crops and characterise viral diversity within UK lettuce crops
3. Quantify the impact of the viruses infecting lettuce in the UK on yield, quality and shelf-life of lettuce
4. Identify and characterise TuYV resistance from diverse lettuce genotypes and wild relatives

Approaches:

1. Field surveys will be conducted to investigate the virome of UK lettuce crops and determine the current virus species present in lettuce, proximal weed species and beneficial pollinator field margin reservoirs and aphid vectors
2. Molecular methods, including RT-PCR and long-read sequencing will be used to investigate the virome and characterise the diversity of virus species present
3. A selected number of virus isolates will be screened in controlled field trials to quantify the impacts of virus infection on lettuce yield, shelf life and quality following infection at different stages of growth
4. The Lactuca diversity set will be screened for resistance to TuYV

Short-term impacts include a greater understanding of the virus problems within UK lettuce crops. Determination of which growth stage is most affected by virus infection, effects on yield, quality and shelf-life and which aphid species are the most important vectors of viruses in lettuce. This will provide advice to growers about when they need to be protecting their crops from virus threats, modes of virus transmission and current options for control. 

Long-term impacts include sustaining UK lettuce production, through the reduction of both pre-harvest virus problems that impact quality and loss of a harvestable crop. Post-harvest virus issues that result in shorter storability due to reduced crop quality, will build resilience in our food system. 

The most potent and sustainable control and mitigation option for reducing losses due to virus infection is plant resistance. We have identified a number of sources of resistance to a number of viruses in a number of crops and identified the genes responsible for resistance. Some of these resistances appear to be very broad spectrum and potentially very durable. We work closely with plant breeding companies to ensure uptake and deployment of these resistances in commercial crops.

This PhD will be based at NIAB, Cambridge and registered with the University of Warwick.

TRAINING

Students will have access to training opportunities through their University to complement their scientific development. This will be augmented by training in key bioscience areas such as statistics through the CTP-SAI.

There will be additional skills training to enhance employability and research capability. All CTP-SAI students will receive Graduate Training in Leadership and Management from MDS (www.mds-ltd.co.uk). Additionally, students will create their Personal Development Plan (PDP) to identify their development needs and areas of strength.

INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT

Placements are a key feature of CTP and UKRI-BBSRC expects all doctoral candidates on a CTP programme to undertake a placement. Placements can be in the form of research placements (3-18 months duration) or used more flexibly for experiential learning of professional skills for business and/or entrepreneurship. All placements are developed in collaboration between the partners with input from the doctoral candidate.

APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Contact John Walsh for an informal discussion on the research content of this PhD.

Beginning in January 2025, the successful candidate should have (or expect to have) an Honours Degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of 2.1 in a degree that includes at least one of the following, Plant Science, Plant Genetics, Virology, Molecular Biology, Applied Statistics, or other related science subjects. Students with an appropriate Masters degree are particularly encouraged to apply.

Due to funder-mandated caps for the CTP as a whole, this project is only available to ‘Home’ applicants

To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an international student would not be eligible for this round of recruitment.

Anyone interested should complete the online application form before the deadline of 1st September 2024. Interviews will be held during April 2024.

Please contact recruitment-ctp-sai@niab.com for further application details.