The common scab, which affects potatoes and other root crops and is distinguished by brown, scab-like lesions on the surface, is causing Memorial University researchers to investigate its underlying cause.

Dr. Dawn Bignell of the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science, along with her colleagues, investigate a class of bacteria known as streptomycetes that are frequently present in soil. Specifically, they target species that are detrimental to plants and cause the common scab disease.

“Common scab is prevalent in many potato growing regions in Canada, with fresh market, seed, and processing potatoes all being affected. The disease management strategies currently in use are largely ineffective or inefficient,” Bignell mentioned.

Even though the potatoes are safe to eat, Dawn Bignell claims that the lesions lower the crop’s quality and market value. Consequently, potatoes afflicted with common scab are not as valuable as potatoes that are not; in cases where disease symptoms are severe, growers frequently are unable to sell their produce.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has awarded a USD240,000 grant to Dr. Dawn Bignell for her study, “Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Pathogenicity in Streptomyces Bacteria.”

“We anticipate this knowledge will assist in the development of new disease management strategies,” Dr. Dawn Bignell mentioned.

Her team’s research will provide new insights on how – and why – streptomycetes infect developing potatoes and cause common scab disease in the first place.

Specifically, they’re studying the small molecules produced by the common scab pathogens that are toxic to plants.

“The funding received will allow us to investigate how these molecules contribute to disease development and how their production is controlled in the pathogens. We anticipate this knowledge will assist in the development of new disease management strategies that will help reduce the economic impact of common scab disease on Canadian potato producers,” Dr. Bignell added.

Dr. Bignell states that NSERC’s funding will help undergraduate and graduate students receive practical technical training in a variety of fields, such as molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, microbiology, and plant-microbe interactions, in addition to helping the agriculture sector.

“Thanks to NSERC’s support, students will also gain transferable skills such as project management, critical thinking, and teamwork, which will help prepare them for their future careers,” Bignell concluded.