Benign infections or damaging epidemics: the influence of biology the environment and agricultural practice on vector-borne phytobacteria

A summary of planned work under each objective. 1. Sequence the genomes of Lso haplotypes and psyllid vectors found in the UK and develop rapid tests based on haplotype/species specific markers Produce genome sequences of Lso haplotypes E, F, G, U, S, S2 and Y and vector species Trioza apicalis and Trioza anthrisci. Use comparative genomic tools to identify haplotype/species specific markers and design/validate qPCR tests to use in objective 2 and 3 2. Understand the incidence of Lso in carrots and plants in the environment surrounding the crops in major carrot growing regions of the UK We will carry out surveys on farms and plants from the surrounding environment in the four main carrot growing areas of the UK over three seasons to identify which Lso haplotypes are present in which plant species. 3. Determine UK-wide diversity and potential distribution of Lso vector species Using trapped insects at both a landscape and field scale, we will identify which psyllid vectors carry which haplotypes of Lso. We will use generate data to understand the population structure of the main vector species. 4. Assess the potential for newly discovered Lso haplotypes to be transmitted to carrot and other economically important crops by psyllids and other vectors Biological studies will conclude which putative vectors identified in WP3 are competent vectors of Lso 5. Consider the impact on pathway risks of economic policy changes with respect to tariffs 6. Consider the impact on transmission risk of environmental land management policy We will assess likely policy scenarios to inform the trade and ecological modelling that will evaluate changes in transmission risk. Modelling how future trading and the Environmental Land Management Scheme change the pathways of introduction, distribution and abundance of wild hosts will be tested. Using data from WP2-4 ecological network modelling will indicate the relative importance of transmission and host species