Plant disease resistance

About: Plant disease resistance is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 12952 publications have been published within this topic receiving 381820 citations. The topic is also known as: plant innate immunity.

First Report of a Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Race Virulent to the Sr24 and Sr31 Wheat Stem Rust Resistance Genes in South Africa.

Abstract: Isolates of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici belonging to the Ug99 race group are virulent to a broad spectrum of resistance genes, rendering most of the world's wheat germplasm susceptible to stem rust (3). Following the initial detection of Ug99 (TTKSK, North American [NA] race notation) in Uganda, virulence to the widely used Sr31 resistance gene has been reported from Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Iran (2,3). In November 2009, a wheat genotype suspected to carry Sr31 showed a susceptible response to stem rust in a disease nursery (29°08′05.02′′S, 30°38′29.18′′E), inoculated with race TTKSP, near Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Inoculation of urediniospores of the field collection (isolate UVPgt60) onto seedlings of line Federation4*/Kavkaz confirmed virulence for Sr31. In three independent, replicated, and comparative seedling tests, eight single-pustule isolates of UVPgt60 all typed to race PTKST following the NA race nomenclature. These isolates produced compatible infection types (ITs) (3+ t...

Identification of a new soybean rust resistance gene in PI 567102B

Abstract: Soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. and P. Syd. is one of the most economically important diseases of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Durable resistance to P. pachyrhizi is the most effective long-term strategy to control SBR. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetics of resistance to P. pachyrhizi in soybean accession PI 567102B. This accession was previously identified as resistant to SBR in Paraguay and to P. pachyrhizi isolates from seven states in the USA (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas). Analysis of two independent populations, one in which F2 phenotypes were inferred from F2-derived F3 (F2:3) families and the other in which F2 plants had phenotypes measured directly, showed that the resistance in PI 567102B was controlled by a single dominant gene. Two different isolates (MS06-1 and LA04-1) at different locations (Stoneville, MS and Ft. Detrick, MD) were used to independently assay the two populations. Linkage analysis of both populations indicated that the resistance locus was located on chromosome 18 (formerly linkage group G), but at a different location than either Rpp1 or Rpp4, which were previously mapped to this linkage group. Therefore, the SBR resistance in PI 567102B appeared to be conditioned by a previously unreported locus, with an underlying single dominant gene inferred. We propose this gene to be designated Rpp6. Incorporating Rpp6 into improved soybean cultivars may have wide benefits as PI 567102B has been shown to provide resistance to P. pachyrhizi isolates from Paraguay and the US.

Higher copy numbers of the potato RB transgene correspond to enhanced transcript and late blight resistance levels.

Abstract: Late blight of potato ranks among the costliest of crop diseases worldwide. Host resistance offers the best means for controlling late blight, but previously deployed single resistance genes have been short-lived in their effectiveness. The foliar blight resistance gene RB, previously cloned from the wild potato Solanum bulbocastanum, has proven effective in greenhouse tests of transgenic cultivated potato. In this study, we examined the effects of the RB transgene on foliar late blight resistance in transgenic cultivated potato under field production conditions. In a two-year replicated trial, the RB transgene, under the control of its endogenous promoter, provided effective disease resistance in various genetic backgrounds, including commercially prominent potato cultivars, without fungicides. RB copy numbers and transcript levels were estimated with transgene-specific assays. Disease resistance was enhanced as copy numbers and transcript levels increased. The RB gene, like many other disease resistance genes, is constitutively transcribed at low levels. Transgenic potato lines with an estimated 15 copies of the RB transgene maintain high RB transcript levels and were ranked among the most resistant of 57 lines tested. We conclude that even in these ultra-high copy number lines, innate RNA silencing mechanisms have not been fully activated. Our findings suggest resistance-gene transcript levels may have to surpass a threshold before triggering RNA silencing. Strategies for the deployment of RB are discussed in light of the current research.

Effects of combinations amongst genes Lr13, Lr34 and Lr37 on components of resistance in wheat to leaf rust

Abstract: Gene pyramiding is a breeding strategy whereby host resistance genes are combined together with the objective of prolonging their usefulness in crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) for resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici. When genes are combined they often give reactions different from those given by each component gene alone. Effects of gene combinations in lines Lr13 + Lr34 (T34-13), Lr13 + Lr37 (T13-37) and Lr34 + Lr37 (T34-37) were compared with those of the single gene lines CT263 (Lr13)(T13), RL6058 (Lr34)(T34), RL6081 (Lr37)(T37) and the leaf rust susceptible control, Thatcher. Infection types on plants infected with pathotypes UVPrt2 or UVPrt13 in the glasshouse, and disease severity in the field, demonstrated higher levels of resistance in the combination lines T13-37 and T34-37 than in the lines with the individual genes. The absence of sporulating uredinia in these combination lines prevented quantitative measurements of components such as latent period. In the T34-13 line, no increased resistance to pathotype UVPrt13 was apparent from assessment of the infection types in the glasshouse. Precise measurements of its resistance components showed, however, that it had a longer latent period and smaller uredinia and its resistance was highly effective in the field. There was variation in leaf rust severity amongst sister lines containing both Lr13 and Lr34, suggesting that increased resistance in T13–34 may not be controlled solely by these two genes themselves. Development of fungal structures, and the incidence and area displaying a hypersensitive reaction, were assessed using UV-1A and B-2A fluorescence microscopy filter combinations. Significant restriction of fungal growth during early postinfection stages occurred in the gene combination lines T34–13, T13–37 and T34–37. Colony size in these lines was also significantly reduced compared with that in the single gene lines T13, T34, T37 and the leaf rust-susceptible Thatcher, when either or both pathotypes possessed avirulence for one of the Lr genes. In the compatible T13–34/UVPrt13 interaction no clear histological evidence of resistance enhancement was observed. The hypersensitive reaction in Lr37 alone or in combination and with either pathotypes, and Lr13 alone or in combination and with UVPrt2 indicated that the major component of the resistance mechanism is posthaustorial. Lr34 had the lowest hypersensitive index and even less hypersensitivity was observed in the Lr34/Lr37 combination line than in Lr37 alone. There was more prehaustorial abortion of infection structures in the line T34–37 than in T34 and T37 with isolate UVPrt2 but not with UVPrt13. It did not appear that abortion of infection structures was a major component of the resistance studied.

The Gossypium hirsutum WRKY gene GhWRKY39 - 1 promotes pathogen infection defense responses and mediates salt stress tolerance in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana

Abstract: Our results indicate that overexpression of the GhWRKY39 - 1 gene enhances resistance to pathogen infection and tolerance to high salt and oxidative stress in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana. WRKY transcription factor genes play significant roles in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an important fiber and oil crop worldwide. We isolated and characterized GhWRKY39-1, which is a group IId WRKY gene that is present as a single copy in the cotton genome. Quantitative PCR analyses indicated that GhWRKY39-1 was induced by pathogen infection, defense-related signaling molecules, and abiotic stresses, such as NaCl and methyl viologen. An analysis of the subcellular localization of the GhWRKY39-1 protein indicated that it localized to the nucleus. Furthermore, constitutive overexpression of GhWRKY39-1 in Nicotiana benthamiana conferred a greater resistance to infection by both the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The transgenic plants also exhibited elevated mRNA levels of several pathogen-related (PR) genes, including PR1c, PR2 and PR4. Moreover, transgenic plants displayed an enhanced tolerance to salt and oxidative stress and elevated expression of several oxidation-related genes, including APX, CAT, GST and SOD. Overall, these results indicate that GhWRKY39-1 functions as a positive regulator of plant defense against pathogen infection and responses to salt stress and reactive oxygen species.