In our research group, research projects are carried out on different objectives related to the etiology, epidemiology and control of relevant subtropical and Mediterranean crop diseases, as well as the characterization of the biology, pathology, virulence and ecology of the causative pathogens. of this. The experimental models currently being investigated are:
- Apical necrosis of the mango due to Pseudomonas syringae, where control strategies and resistance to compounds such as copper, analysis of virulence factors, toxins, plasmids, as well as the development of pathogenesis are developed.
- Regressive death of avocado branches caused by fungi of the Botryosphaeria group, studying the etiological agents of this disease in the area, and possible control measures, both chemical and physical or biological.
- Root rot of avocado by Rosellinia necatrix, analyzing the biology and multitrophic interactions of microorganisms with biocontrol activity against the pathogen, as well as the characteristics and functions of microbial communities in agricultural soils.
- Cucurbit powdery mildew by Podosphaera fusca, describing its etiology, diversity in the population of the pathogen, prophylaxis measures, including aspects of biological control through bacteria, the molecular bases of resistance to fungicides, and multitrophic interactions that could take place.
- Powdery mildew and strawberry botrytis (fungicide resistance). These objectives are being addressed from different methodological approaches ranging from conventional Microbiology and Phytopathology to genomic approaches (genome and plasmid sequencing, transcriptomic analysis and functional genomics).
- Food safety of plant products, using as a model the molecular interactions of human pathogens such as Bacillus cereus with vegetables and fruits with the ultimate goal of designing new control strategies.
These works are carried out within the framework of Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture "La Mayora" , a mixed University of Malaga – Higher Council for Scientific Research (IHSM-UMA-CSIC) center, within the line of research Microbiology and crop protection in collaboration with the Prof. Cayo Ramos (Area of Genetics, University of Malaga).
Responsible Investigator: FRANCISCO MANUEL CAZORLA LÓPEZ
Members and heads of Research lines
Antonio de Vicente Moreno (DISEASES OF TROPICAL PLANTS AND FRUITS)
Alejandro Pérez García (RATIONAL DESIGN OF PHYTOSANITARY)
Francisco M. Cazorla López (MULTITROPHIC INTERACTIONS IN THE RHIZOSPHERE)
Diego F. Romero Hinojosa (EXTRACELLULAR BACTERIAL AND MULTICELLULARITY MATRIX AND ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF Bacillus ANTAGONISTS)
Dolores Fernández Ortuño (RESISTANCE OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS TO FUNGICITAL COMPOUNDS)