MIR2RKN · Unravelling the molecular regulation of microbe-induced plant resistance to root-knot nematodes in tomato

Root knot nematodes (RKNs) represent a major problem for global food security. Current control strategies of RKN have critical limitations. Beneficial root-associated microbes, like rhizobacteria, can enhance the plant immune systems, boosting resistance to a broad spectrum of attackers, including RKNs. This phenomenon, known as Microbe-Induced plant Resistance (MIR), has emerged as a promising biotechnological tool for a sustainable RKN control. However, there are still important challenges in the implementation of MIR-based products in RKN protection programs. We are just starting to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying MIR’s effectiveness to RKN, which have complex, long-term relationship with plants, including well-differentiated infection stages. The main aim of MIR2RNK is to contribute to elucidating molecular mechanisms that regulate MIR functioning to RKN in tomato. MIR2RKN will use a multidisciplinary approach combining multi-omics high-throughput techniques, computational biology, functional genomics, and mesocosm experiments to achieve three main objectives: (1) To evaluate the impact of rhizobacteria on tomato resistance to RKN throughout the infection cycle, and validate the economic viability of these findings under close-to-real field conditions; (2) To uncover key molecular traits of the tomato plant immune system that regulate rhizobacteria-MIR to RKNs across the infection cycle, and (3) To decipher the specific role of tomato polyamine metabolism in rhizobacteria-MIR to RKNs throughout the RKN’s infection cycle. MIR2RKN will enhance our understanding of how MIR is regulated during the dynamic infection cycle of RKNs. This knowledge on how MIR functions, will contribute to developing sustainable crop protection strategies against RKNs. Moreover, MIR2RKN will strongly benefit the applicant, as he will gain independence in research, wider visibility, and will be trained on fundamental skills for proceeding in the next step of his scientific path.