Boosting genetic immunity of pea against downy mildew pathogen

Pea (Pisum sativum) is an essential crop for sustainable agriculture, valued for its nitrogen-fixing capabilities and as a key source of plant-based protein. However, downy mildew (DM), caused by the pathogen Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi, poses a significant threat to pea production in the UK, leading to annual yield losses exceeding £10 million. With limited varietal resistance and the regulatory ban on fungicidal seed treatments, there is an urgent need for innovative strategies to combat DM and restore grower confidence in pea production.

This PhD project will use advanced genomic tools to understand both host resistance and pathogen virulence mechanisms to enhance genetic resistance to DM in pea. The student will (i) explore the pea pan-genomic variation to identify novel resistance genes using a genetically diverse Pisum collection (ii) modulate plant susceptibility genes through editing techniques and mutant population analysis to achieve broad-spectrum resistance (iii) identify and characterize pathogen effectors that interact with pea resistance genes using transcriptomics. The integration of host-pathogen interaction insights will facilitate the development of durable resistance mechanisms. These discoveries will be translated into breeding programs with industrial partner Openfolde, incorporating resistance and susceptibility markers into elite pea varieties using marker-assisted selection.

This multidisciplinary project provides training in plant pathology, molecular biology, effector biology, genomics, and bioinformatics, alongside hands-on experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and crop breeding. A three-month placement with Openfolde will offer exposure to commercial breeding practices, while collaborations with the Defra-funded Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) will foster professional growth.

Supervised by Dr. Sanu Arora (JIC) and Professor Sophien Kamoun (TSL), this BBSRC NRPDTP-funded CASE studentship presents a unique opportunity to advance sustainable agriculture by addressing critical challenges in crop resilience and pathogen management. Applications are welcomed from candidates passionate about plant genomics and host-pathogen interactions.

References 

Maguire et al., Pea downy mildew diversity in the UK. PGRO Reports. (2018) https://www.pgro.org/pea-downy-mildew-diversity-in-the-uk/

Arora et al.,  Resistance gene cloning from a wild crop relative by sequence capture and association genetics. Nat. Biotech. (2019)

Gaurav, Arora et al., Population genomic analysis of Aegilops tauschii identifies targets for bread wheat improvement. Nat. Biotech. (2022)

Bhowmik et al., CRISPR/Cas9-mediated lipoxygenase gene-editing in yellow pea leads to major changes in fatty acid and flavor profiles. Front. Plant Sci. (2023)