The most important disease problem in pea cultivation worldwide is pea root rot, mainly caused by the soil-borne oomycete Aphanomyces euteiches.
In recent years, a different but similar root rot caused by another oomycete, a Phytophthora species, has been observed in soil diagnostic tests carried out at Findus Sverige AB, a major producer of frozen green peas.
Screening pea lines for resistance against Phytophthora.
In this project, we study this little known disease. We look at basic aspects such as the phylogeny and host range of the pathogen, and screen the germplasm of pea and other susceptible crops (faba bean, lentil, chickpea) to search for resistance genes. Using field trials in naturally infested fields, we will also estimate the potential yield losses which can be caused by the disease under field conditions. The prevalence and geographic range of the pathogen will be assessed through the greenhouse tests at the Findus facilities, and by PCR-based analysis of soil DNA extracts from agricultural fields.
Phytophthora root rot symptoms of 4 week old pea plants