Articles
DNA editing for enhanced resistance against apple tree pathogens
Article number
1412_62
Pages
421 – 426
Language
English
Abstract
DNA-editing technologies have emerged as a promising approach to enhance resistance against major pathogens affecting apple trees, such as Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight, and powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera leucotricha. Fire blight leads to wilting, canker formation, and reduced fruit production, while powdery mildew weakens the trees and diminishes the fruit quality.
By targeting specific genes associated with susceptibility to these pathogens, DNA editing has the potential to strengthen trees’ ability to withstand infections and mitigate disease symptoms.
In this study, DNA editing was employed to silence the HIPM and DIPM genes (associated with fire blight susceptibility), and the Mlo gene (responsible for powdery mildew susceptibility). The focus was on enhancing resistance against both pathogens in the apple breeding line ‘BO B47G082’, which already possesses resistance to scab and rosy apple aphid achieved through traditional breeding.
The results on efficiency of transformation experiments and molecular analyses performed on the transformed lines are reported.
These analyses aimed to confirm the successful construct integration in the apple genome and the editing of the target genes.
Additionally, phenotypic tests are currently being conducted to assess the level of resistance achieved by the transformed apple clones through silencing of the targeted S-genes.
The outcomes of this study will contribute to understanding the potential of DNA editing as a tool for developing multi-disease-resistant apple cultivars.
The successful application of DNA-editing technologies in enhancing resistance against these important pathogens holds significant promise for the apple industry, offering a sustainable approach to combat diseases and improve fruit quality.
By targeting specific genes associated with susceptibility to these pathogens, DNA editing has the potential to strengthen trees’ ability to withstand infections and mitigate disease symptoms.
In this study, DNA editing was employed to silence the HIPM and DIPM genes (associated with fire blight susceptibility), and the Mlo gene (responsible for powdery mildew susceptibility). The focus was on enhancing resistance against both pathogens in the apple breeding line ‘BO B47G082’, which already possesses resistance to scab and rosy apple aphid achieved through traditional breeding.
The results on efficiency of transformation experiments and molecular analyses performed on the transformed lines are reported.
These analyses aimed to confirm the successful construct integration in the apple genome and the editing of the target genes.
Additionally, phenotypic tests are currently being conducted to assess the level of resistance achieved by the transformed apple clones through silencing of the targeted S-genes.
The outcomes of this study will contribute to understanding the potential of DNA editing as a tool for developing multi-disease-resistant apple cultivars.
The successful application of DNA-editing technologies in enhancing resistance against these important pathogens holds significant promise for the apple industry, offering a sustainable approach to combat diseases and improve fruit quality.
Authors
C. Domenichini, L. Bergonzoni, S. Alessandri, F. Pacini, P. Negri, M. Defrancesco, L. Ferrari, M. Malnoy, A. Bertaccini, L. Dondini, S. Tartarini
Keywords
Erwinia amylovora, breeding, phenotyping, Podosphaera leucotricha
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