“Plant vaccines” the future of protection from viral diseases
A groundbreaking new research project is putting science at the heart of defending horticultural production, developing “plant vaccines” to protect Australia’s vegetables from viral diseases.
Funded by Hort Innovation and led by The University of Queensland (UQ), the five-year initiative is exploring how tiny biological molecules called peptides can be used to prime plants to defend themselves against viruses, much like vaccines do in humans.
The research team will use advanced plant molecular biology tools to identify promising peptide candidates and assess their ability to trigger broad immune responses in vegetable crops. It will also investigate beneficial bacteria from vegetable root systems that may act as natural defence primers.
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said the project aims to develop eco-friendly, scalable solutions for growers across the country, combining cutting-edge science with practical farming needs to create virus-resistant crops that don’t rely on chemicals. It will also enhance crop resilience and productivity, helping to future-proof farming systems against emerging viral threats.
Building plant immunity
Unlike traditional vaccines that use weakened or dead viruses, the UQ project is investigating peptide elicitors, molecules that simulate the presence of a virus without introducing any actual pathogen. These peptides trigger a “teaching effect,” helping plants build immunity before infection occurs.
“Just like people might get a flu shot to prepare their immune systems, we’re helping plants get ready for viral attacks using peptides. These molecules can prime the plant’s natural defences, so when a real virus shows up, the plant knows how to fight back,” UQ’s Dr Mark Jackson said.
“Peptides are like keys that fit into the plant’s immune system locks. But finding the right key is complex, as there are many peptides and receptors, and only a perfect match will trigger the defence response. Our goal is to find generalist peptides that can protect against a wide range of viruses, offering a more holistic and scalable solution for growers.”
The project has a particular focus on vegetable viruses spread rapidly by insect carriers, so olive producers will no doubt be keen to follow the project’s progress, and hopefully success. The future possibility of expanding the solution to protect against viruses affecting other plant crops is an exciting contemplation, given the ongoing high risk for our industry posed by insect-borne Xylella fastidiosa.
The project Management of viral diseases for the Australian vegetable industry (VG24001) is a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund. Find out more on the Hort Innovation website here.