Vilmorin-Mikado presents an innovative solution to combat the nematodes Heredodera carotae

On the occasion of the 2nd International Symposium on Carrot and Other Apiaceae (Poland, 19 - 22 September), Vilmorin - Mikado, the world leader for carrots, presents an innovative and environmentally friendly solution to combat the cyst nematodes Heterodera carotae. Currently in the research phase, this new “soil cleanup” variety could be brought to market in the next 2 to 3 years.

OBJECTIVE: TO REPLACE THE USE OF DICHLOROPROPENE

For a number of years, carrot producers have been making use of a dichloropropene - based nematicide for controlling the nematodes Heterodera carotae. Banned by the European Union in 2009, dichloropropene had been granted use exemptions in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. In June 2018, the French Ministry of Agriculture definitively banned the use of this molecule. At present there are several thousand hectares in France and Italy that continue to be affected by Heterodera carotae.

APPROACHING 20 YEARS OF COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

The “AOP Carotte de France” (a French National Association of Carrot Producing Organisations) initiated a collaborative project in 2002, which has since mobilised various partners : INRA ( French National Institute of Agricultural Research) that undertakes fundamental research ; technical partners for the field implementation and definition of the technical protocols (CTIFL: French Interprofessional Technical Centre for Fruit and Vegetables ; and SILEBAN: Investment and Development Company for Vegetable and Horticultural Crops in Lower Normandy, France), and Vilmorin - Mikado for the breeding of varieties. "Vilmorin - Mikado with the involvement of the partners has undertaken to develop a cleaner and more environmentally friendly solution by focusing research efforts on resistance to the nematodes Heterodera carotae" says Jacques - Yves Gueguen, Marketing Portfolio Lead for Roots and Bulbs at Vilmorin - Mikado.


The cyst nematode, Heterodera carotae, is responsible for causing significant yield losses due to a high number of short, split carrots or carrots having a hairy appearance due to excessive production of lateral roots. In production zones in sandy terrain, commercial losses can reach up to 90%.


A WILD TYPE VARIETY THAT WORKS AS A TRAP CROP

Selected from more than 3700 wild plants, this new variety is not a consumable carrot. White in colour, resembling a type of wild carrot, it has a very large root network, and

spreading waxy foliage. Endowed with resistance to the nematode Heterodera carotae, the planting of this carrot makes it possible to significantly reduce the population in the soil.

"This “soil cleanup” carrot variety works like a trap crop," explains Laure Barrot, Vilmorin - Mikado Carrot Breeder, "the nematodes entering the rootlets are not able to multiply because of the feeder site being bad. This carrot is thus used to rid the field of pests with a view to future cultivation of a consumable carrot variety, and thereby makes it possible to achieve an efficacy level of between 40% and 80%” (the efficacy of dichloropropene being estimated at 80 - 90%).

A SOLUTION THAT WILL BE MARKETABLE IN 2 TO 3 YEARS

For 10 years, research has been dedicated to identifying the source of nematode resistance and to confirmation thereof by means of laboratory testing. In 2011, Vilmorin - Mikado selected this “soil cleanup” variety, and new tests were conducted through to 2017 (laboratory - and field - based) in order to validate the resistance.

“The first field trials are planned in Normandy with public entity partners (INRA, SILEBAN, CTIFL) : two years of experimentation will be necessary in order to specify the technical protocols. Marketing thereof on the French market, to begin with, is envisaged as of the 2020 - 2021 campaign, " projects Amélie Theriez, Carrot Product Manager for the Europe region.


Vilmorin-Mikado is a Business Unit of Limagrain. Gathering the activities of Vilmorin SA (French seed company) and Mikado Kyowa Seed Co. Ltd (Japanese seed company) since July 2016. As a global seed company, Vilmorin-Mikado has strong basis over the 5 continents and offers a wide and original high-quality range to all the professionals of the vegetable chain. Vilmorin-Mikado is specialized in the creation, production and marketing of vegetable and tree seeds. Entirely dedicated to agricultural professionals, the company reaches a turnover of 238,3 million euros in 2016- 2017 and has 1000 employees worldwide. Vilmorin-Mikado devotes 16% of its turnover to research. Its seed varieties are distributed across more than 100 countries. The world leader for carrots and witloof chicory, Vilmorin-Mikado is also a major player in salad, tomato, pepper, kabocha squash, daikon radish, bunching onion and tree seeds.