Horizon Europe 2020 Project: Microbial uptakes for sustainable management of major banana pests and diseases

In 2021, the Horizon Europe programme succeeded Horizon 2020. It commenced with a budget of €95.5 billion to invest in innovative projects. The aim is to invest in a fair and prosperous future for people and the planet based on European Values. To achieve this, Horizon Europe will strengthen the connection between scientific and technological innovation, while tackling vital societal challenges set out in the Sustainable Development Goals. The program is divided into three pillars: Excellence Science, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovative Europe. 

In the Canary Islands, Caribbean, and Africa, weevils (BW, Cosmopolites sordidus), Panama disease (PD, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense), and plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are the principal hazards to banana (Musa spp.) and enset (Ensete ventricosum). This particular Horizon 2020 project, Microbial uptakes for sustainable management of major banana pests and diseases (H2020 MUSA - 727624), studies the management of major banana pests and diseases. By researching the phenotypic and molecular responses of plants to various biotic stresses, MUSA aspires to develop innovative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies based on microbial consortia and banana or enset germplasm, including new hybrids. The main objective is to achieve sustainable crop intensification by enhancing their resistance using regionally tailored IPM tactics built on favoured microbes and tried-and-true genotypes. In order to determine the genes responsible for resistant/tolerant or succumbent/susceptible responses, partners will collect and characterize the appropriate beneficial microbes. They will then evaluate in the field how these interactions affect certain banana lines. To read the full summary of the project, click HERE. Between 2017 and 2021, this EU-funded research project generated several promising results for more sustainable routes to pest and disease control for banana plantations. The different studies carried out as a part of this project are highlighted hereafter.

• Methods for large-scale cultivation of microbial EBCAs and EPNs, bioformulation and storage: The first stage of this project was the development of the methodology for large-scale cultivation of microbial Endophytes and Biological Control Agents (EBCAs) and Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs), bioformulation and storage. The outline of this methodology can be found HERE.
• Data on biology and effectiveness of selected EBCAs from different regions and climates, including risk analysis data: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, the primary pathogen associated with banana plants, was identified and chosen endophytic biocontrol agents (EBCAs) strains during previous MUSA Project operations by the Consortium (Foc, Panama Disease; PD). Additionally, in order to create antagonists for Cosmopolites sordidus (BW) and plant parasitic nematodes, our consortium has concentrated efforts on isolating natural entomopathogenic (EF) and nematophagous (NF) fungi from banana fields. Additionally, the Consortium aims to isolate and characterize soil-borne microorganisms (EBCAs) capable of colonizing plant tissue as endophytes and inducing plant defence. In the primary regions for producing banana plants in Europe, Central America, and Africa, experiments to produce these resources have been carried out in lab, greenhouse, and field settings. Our findings suggest that the principal banana pest and illnesses can be successfully fought off by antagonistic microorganisms in banana fields. Data on EBCA parasitism and antagonism against BW and PD are included in this delivery. It also lists interactions between EBCAs and agents that cause pest and disease problems for bananas. Additionally included are data on EBCA risk analysis. Potentially repulsive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on BW as well as early field test results of these VOCs on BW are also reported. We conclude by offering information on genomic resources for EBCAs and banana pests. For the full introduction to the project, click HERE. 
• Field data for integration of fungi and bacteria-based formulations with susceptible/tolerant germplasm against RKN, BW and PD: The next deliverable of the project includes field data that was obtained through project activities and is linked to the application of many EBCAs. They are Pochonia chlamydosporia, Trichoderma asperellum, and Azospirillum brasiliense for plant growth stimulation (University of Leuven, Belgium, partner 7) and (CENSA, Cuba, partner 13). The data on the sustainable management of PPN populations given by CENSA are presented, together with research on the prevalence of nematodes and host weeds at the Cuban National Collection of Musa spp. EARTH University (partner 12)  developed an assessment of germplasm for resistance to PPN in the field and experimental studies on biological control of the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis using EBCAs. The effects of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata and Trichoderma asperellum (singly and in combination) on PPN populations are then presented. Finally, data from experimental field assays focused mostly on the use of pheromone aggregation traps for adult capture and related to BW management are presented. In a study conducted in conjunction with the University of Alicante (partner 3), they take into account the evaluation of two types of traps for monitoring and controlling weevils in banana fields (developed by CENSA) and the use of natural chemicals with repellent effects for BW (Coplaca, partner 4). To view the data collection, click HERE. 
• Farming school activities on EBCAs and IPM: It has been determined that developing strong agricultural production systems in Cuba critically depends on the formation and capacity of farmers and agricultural employees. When shifting from traditional, chemical agriculture to new, agroecological practices, formation activities are especially necessary (Daz, 2015). It is important to keep in mind that many people who had no prior expertise managing farms or crops have now become involved in the nation's food production. Printed or electronic materials (manuals, books, leaflets, cards); TV or radio information; courses; in-situ experiments during projects or during under- and post-graduate students' activities (practices and theses), as well as through the technical assistance provided by governmental (Agriculture Ministry, Research Centers, etc.) organizations are just a few of the ways that information is disseminated and farmers' capacity for crops/pest management is built in Cuba. The FFS approach was created by ANAP and has been customized to the features of Cuba. The "From Farmer to Farmer Movement" (F to F) was initially a strategy to advance ecological agriculture. Building a farmer's capacity, according to Cárdenas (2003), is a transformational process that aims to enhance the farmer's work and promote the use of local solutions to address farming-related issues. To read the full report on farming school activities on EBCAs and IPMs, click HERE. 
• Microbial collections (bacteria, fungi) and other beneficial EBCAs and selected PGPM/soil microorganisms for applied IPM: In this section of the project, the microbial collections of bacteria, fungi and other beneficial EBCAs produced or made available by the MUSA Consortium throughout the duration of the project can be viewed. To view the results, click HERE.