Prof. Fufeng Liu
College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, ChinaSpeech Title: To be Updated
Prof. Ting Wu
Associate Professor, College of Food Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, ChinaSpeech Title: To be updated
Prof. Sijun Zheng
Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, ChinaSpeech Title: The resistance mechanism of different ecotype bananas to Fusarium wilt of banana
Abstract: Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) seriously threatens the banana industry's sustainable development. The most effective measure to prevent FWB is breeding for disease-resistance cultivars. Recent evidence indicates that FWB occurrence and development are not only regulated by host resistance genes, but are also significantly influenced by host associated microbiomes. However, the relationship between genotype-associated microbiomes and their host linked to FWB resistance has yet to be explored. Therefore, we used the amplification sequencing method to characterize the bacterial and fungal communities in three root-related compartments (peripheral, rhizosphere, and endosphere) of six banana genotypes with different levels of FWB resistance. We isolated bacteria and fungi linked to FWB-resistant genotype biomarkers to verify their disease-suppression effect. Sequence analysis showed that the banana host’s resistance to FWB significantly correlated with its associated bacterial and fungal communities. The resistant and susceptible genotypes recruited different types of microbiomes. Furthermore, we compared the infection processes in one susceptible cultivar‘Baxi’and another resistant cultivar‘Yunjiao No.1’ inoculated with pathogen tropical race 4 (TR4). The results showed that TR4 hyphae could rapidly penetrate the cortex into the root vascular bundle for colonization, and the colonization capacity in‘Baxi’ was significantly higher than that in‘Yunjiao No.1’. The accumulation of a large number of starch grains was observed in corms cells, and further analysis showed that the starch content in‘Yunjiao No. 1’was significantly higher than that in‘Baxi’. Besides, the total starch and tyloses contents and the control effect in the corms of ‘Yunjiao No.1’was higher than that in the ‘Baxi’. The results from the expression levels of key genes suggest that there were significant differences between cultivars in response to TR4 invasion and plant reactions with respect to starch accumulation, tyloses formation and the expression of plant resistance induction and starch synthesis related genes. We subsequently identified a key gene that encodes banana amine oxidase, designated as MuAo. This gene was cloned, and subsequently RT-qPCR analysis was performed. Finally, we discussed a novel interaction among biocontrol agent, banana, and TR4, with the outcomes of this research offering a better understanding of host genotype-biocontrol agent-pathogen interactions, and providing new insights into the exploration of resistance genes against FWB.
Dr. Silvia Pampana
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalySpeech Title: Agronomic strategies for a changing climate
Abstract: To be updated...
Professor Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, BangladeshSpeech Title:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manaporn Manaboon
Associated Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, ThailandSpeech Title: Summer-Ready Moths: Innovations in Bamboo Borer Breeding Practices
Abstract: Bamboo borers (Omphisa fuscidentalis) are tropical insects highly valued in Thailand, with fried bamboo borers fetching prices of up to THB 3,000 per kilogram. These insects are univoltine, with their life cycle naturally synchronized to the rainy season, as bamboo shoots—their egg-laying substrate—are only available during this time. This study explores the use of Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) extract as a natural alternative to juvenile hormone analogs (JHAs) for promoting non-seasonal moth production. Three concentrations of O. sanctumextract (10, 100, and 1,000 ppm) were tested, and their effects on development were compared to JHAs. The results demonstrated that 10 ppm extract induced the highest pupation rate (82%), while 1,000 ppm extract yielded the highest adult emergence rate (78%). Both extract and JHA treatments significantly shortened the larval period (92-99 days) compared to the control (270 days), with no significant differences in the pupal period. Moths reared under the specificconditions successfully mated and produced first-instar larvae, providing a sustainable solution for producing parent moths outside the rainy season. This study offers an innovative approach to scaling bamboo borer production, enabling local agriculturalists to rear these high-value insects in their bamboo forests without reliance on synthetic chemicals.