SHARCO · Sharka Containment

SharCo is aimed at helping the EU face the accession of Member States known as endemic of sharka disease by providing the EU with tools such as marker-assisted selection, PPV resistant plant materials, guidelines, warning systems, decision-support system. On that purpose, the project will, in the field of epidemiology, identify driving factors of PPV spread and diversification and develop novel and highthrough-put detection systems warning sharka outbreaks. In the field of genetics, it will provide molecular markers for the implementation of marker assisted selection of PPV resistant fruit varieties. In the field of biology, we will assess innovative biotechnological approaches to broaden resistance to PPV in different fruit tree species. Finally, in order to develop a PPV outbreak management, we will elaborate i) guidelines for endusers and policy makers concerning cultivation and risk management, ii) an early warning system coupled with a decision support system. All knowledge and tools developed by the project will be widely disseminated all over Europe with special attention made to PPV endemic countries.