Biocontrol of downy mildew disease and biostimulation using Trichoderma spp. in quinoa and cañahua

The goal of this PhD project is to develop new knowledge and procedures that can improve yields of the crop quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), including biological management of the downy mildew disease by increasing the scientific understanding of the interaction of Chenopodium spp. with the pathogen Peronospora variabilis and the biocontrol agent Trichoderma spp. The genetically less complex (diploid) crop cañahua (C. pallidicaule) will be used as a model of C. quinoa for identifying molecular components in two- and three part interactions of disease and biocontrol agent with differently disease-resistant plant genotypes. This will be combined with a gene editing approach for identified plant genes. The project will develop modern pest management capacity in Bolivia and address fundamental issues of plant-pathogen-symbiont interaction that are relevant also for common European crops.