Project in brief
Drosophila suzukii, is an alien species whose invasion is causing catastrophic effects on small fruit cultivation in Trentino. To address this problem, DRIVE SUZUKII proposes the development of an innovative and potentially revolutionary control technique called gene drive. DRIVE SUZUKII will be carried out in collaboration with the agricultural cooperative Sant'Orsola and Biocentis, a company leader in the field of biotechnologies applied to the control of invasive alien insects.
Biocentis will support the creation of genetic lines of D. suzukii with self-limiting gene drive technology, capable of spreading sterility genes that lead to the collapse of populations of the harmful insect in natural populations. Experiments will be conducted in UniTn laboratories to
evaluate the performance of these genetic lines in suppressing wild insect populations, and a release plan will be prepared. The main result of the project will be to demonstrate the laboratory effectiveness of a solution that could quickly transition to field experimentation and ultimately become part of an integrated pest management program. The primary impact will be to reduce pesticide use and prevent serious crop losses in our territory and elsewhere.
Project objectives
- Development of an innovative technology for the first time targeting an agricultural species.
- Effective, sustainable, and long-lasting control against D. suzukii, one of the most destructive alien invasive species in the province of Trento.
- Reduction in the use of insecticides with benefits for the environment and public health.
- Reduction of economic losses for small fruit sector operators in the province of Trento.
- Opportunity to leverage the results in entrepreneurial initiatives that offer the development of strategies based on the same method against other harmful insects as a service.
- Contribution to the debate and acceleration of the preparation of European legislation on the use of CRISPR-based organisms for biocontrol.
Impact
Promoting the biological control of D. suzukii can have significant consequences on local and global biodiversity. In line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy (objective 5), the knowledge generated by DRIVE SUZUKII will provide scientific support for the implementation of control measures and management of other invasive alien species of interest to the Union. Furthermore, all recent EU guidelines and regulations supporting the Union's phytosanitary policy (Directive 2000/29/EC; 2013/0013/COD; 2013/0307/COD; Directive on sustainable use of pesticides: 2009/128/EC; Organic production regulation: 2007/834/EC) emphasize the importance of reduced and
sustainable pesticide application. Biological control of invasive pests directly addresses society'growing demand for safe and environmentally sustainable food production. DRIVE SUZUKII will contribute to the expected impacts listed in the new Horizon Europe 2021-2027 for themes related to "New and emerging risks to plant health" in the Sustainable Food Security cluster. The phases
and protocols adopted could be easily adapted to other invasive species that may invade our country.
Funding
This project has received funding from Fondazione CARITRO Bando ricerca e sviluppo 2022/2023, ID 19650.
