Engineering of novel cell-wall derived oligosaccharides for plant protection – WALLDERIVE

The European Commission proposed a plan to modify our agricultural system to make it more sustainable and safer. In this context, the objectives of WALLDERIVE are to identify novel cell wall derived oligosaccharides that are able to stimulate plant immunity and develop industrial process of production. WALLDERIVE brings together specialists in glycobiology (P1), enzymology (P2), phytopathology and genetics (P3) and an expert in pilot production of biomolecules (P4) to set up a multidisciplinary approach based on the huge diversity of cell wall derived oligosaccharides produced by a monocotyledon (wheat) and a dicotyledon (tomato) challenged by European devastating pathogens Zymoseptoria tritici (causing Septoria tritici blotch) and Botrytis cinerea (causing the grey mould disease), respectively. The original strategy of WALLDERIVE is based on recent breakthrough results from the partners that were able to analyse the diversity of oligosaccharides in planta by comparison of resistant and susceptible plants to B. cinerea. Genetics and mathematical models will be deployed to select oligosaccharides with potential elicitor activities and a systematic approach for designing and optimizing of combined fungal enzymatic activities will be established to mimic the production of natural oligosaccharides using specific bio-based substrates. Bioassays will be set up in greenhouse and field to validate the elicitor activities of the oligosaccharides. The results are expected i/ to generate a repertoire of fungal enzymes useful for the deconstruction of renewable and sustainable biomass and ii/ to propose a pilot-scale production of bioactive molecules priming basal defense responses to pathogens causing major diseases in Europe, base of a biocontrol phytopharmaceutical product development. WALLDERIVE will reconcile agricultural productivity and management of plant disease with environmental integrity.