Trans-Pathoflax 2.0

The Trans-Pathoflax 2.0 project aims to combat major flax diseases by developing biocontrol solutions, disease-resistant varieties, and integrated pest management strategies. It focuses on sustainable practices to reduce chemical use and supports growers in transitioning to greener agriculture.

Trans pathoflax Linea

The Interreg region is the world's most important flax-growing and processing area. Flax growers in the region are faced with 3 major diseases for which there is currently no sustainable control strategy.

Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne disease whose pathogen, Verticillium dahliae, has spread to France and Belgium. As part of the FWVl PATHOFLAX Interreg project, extensive cross-border research has been carried out, yielding interesting results. Further research is needed to offer flax growers a fully operational control strategy.

Septoria linicola is a fungal disease of flax mainly found in the French region. However, the importance of this disease is likely to increase in the coming years, also in Belgium, due to the increase in winter flax acreage. Powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera lini) has been present on flax for many years. It affects almost all flax plots every year. Today, these 2 diseases are controlled using chemical crop protection products.

This project aims to develop sustainable control strategies for these three fungal diseases of flax. Its aim is to grow flax according to the Green Deal and facilitate the transition to a greener economy by supporting the dissemination of good environmental practices and their implementation within flax companies. The project aims to provide biocontrol solutions to flax growers and develop diagnostic techniques that breeders can use to obtain disease-resistant flax varieties.

The first work package will focus on the primary inoculum of Verticillium dahliae. Considering the impact of potato cultivation on the quantity of microsclerotia in the soil, trials will be carried out to assess the resistance of potato varieties to Verticillium. In addition, the lack of correlation between the quantity of microsclerotia in the soil and the severity of symptoms in flax will be studied. The impact of soil microorganisms on the infection process will be assessed through bioassays using different types of soil artificially contaminated with microsclerotia. Potential antagonistic microorganisms could thus be identified. Laboratory tests will also be carried out to study the impact of root wall extracts from several flax varieties on microsclerotia germination.

To improve the identification of new Verticillium-resistant varieties, a reliable diagnosis of infection is needed. Several innovative, non-destructive techniques will be implemented at plant and field level. These will then be used to screen flax varieties. In this way, data can be obtained to develop new types of disease markers.

With a view to breeding new varieties, it is necessary to understand the resistance mechanisms of tolerant varieties. To this end, advanced microscopy and biochemical screening techniques will be used to develop new types of selection markers that will make it easier to identify the most resistant varieties.

The use of Verticillium isaacii endophytic isolates has shown interesting effects on plant resistance to verticillium wilt. The effects of this innovative biocontrol agent will be studied again using new strains from flax plots. The mode of action of the most effective strains and their methods of use and formulations will be studied further.

The integrated control approach to septoria and powdery mildew will focus on the development of new varieties and the use of biocontrol agents (BCPs). With regard to septoria, particular attention will be paid to monitoring this disease in Belgium and raising farmers' awareness. The susceptibility of flax varieties will be tested in field trials and will contribute to the development of resistance markers. Few data are available on the use of BCPs to control septoria and powdery mildew in flax. Based on accumulated knowledge of their use in other crops, a selection of BCPs will be tested in the field on flax.

All the results of these previous activities will be valorized in IPM field trials combining different strategies to control the three flax diseases. Thanks to these demonstration trials, the various players in the flax industry will be informed of the new perspectives provided by this project, and flax growers will be guided in the implementation of these sustainable management strategies.