Mutagenic Host Factor Modification for Oomycete Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resistance breeding in lettuce and spinach against downy mildews, primarily relying on R-gene mediated recognition, results in durable but resource-intensive and yield-penalty-inducing constitutive defense mechanisms, which are not durable and can negatively impact nutritional value and consumer health.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mutagenic treatment of seeds to induce mutations that reduce susceptibility to oomycetes like Bremia lactucae and Peronospora farinosa, using chemical mutagenesis or genetic engineering to modify host factors independently of R-gene interactions, allowing for pyramiding of multiple reduced susceptibility alleles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If R-gene mediated recognition is used for resistance breeding, then effective resistance against downy mildews is achieved, but the resistance is not durable and requires continuous introduction of novel resistance genes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using R-genes that recognize pathogen effectors (traditional approach), the invention inverts the strategy by modifying host factors that pathogens exploit. This involves creating plants with altered susceptibility through mutagenesis of host genes, thereby achieving resistance without relying on pathogen recognition mechanisms that evolve rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the genetic parameters of the host plant by introducing mutations in host factor genes through mutagenic treatment. These parameter changes in host gene sequences lead to reduced susceptibility to downy mildews, providing durable resistance without the need for continuous introduction of new R-genes.
2Reliability
If constitutive defense mechanisms are activated to provide durable resistance, then resistance stability is improved, but yield penalty and reduced nutritional value occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic resistance mechanism where plants with mutated host factors show reduced susceptibility without activating constitutive defense responses. The resistance is achieved through altered host gene functions that prevent pathogen exploitation rather than through continuous activation of defense mechanisms, thereby avoiding yield penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the resistance function from the traditional R-gene mediated defense response system. By modifying host factors independently of R-gene interactions, the resistance mechanism is separated from the costly constitutive defense activation, allowing durable resistance without the associated yield and nutritional costs.
3Reliability
If multiple R-genes are introduced to combat evolving pathogen populations, then resistance effectiveness is maintained, but breeding complexity and resource intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal resistance approach by modifying host factors that are commonly exploited by downy mildew pathogens. The mutated host factors provide broad-spectrum resistance against multiple pathogen strains and types, reducing the need to introduce multiple specific R-genes for different pathogen races.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying and introducing multiple different R-genes from various sources, the invention uses mutagenesis to create modified versions of existing host factors. This copying approach generates resistance through subtle changes in host gene sequences rather than introducing entirely new genetic elements, simplifying the breeding process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach generates more durable and resource-efficient resistance forms that reduce pathogen susceptibility without the yield penalties and nutritional drawbacks of traditional R-gene mediated defenses, providing a stable and long-lasting resistance to downy mildews.
Implementation Method 1
treating M0 seeds of a plant species to be modified with a mutagenic agent to obtain M1 seeds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a for obtaining a plant showing a reduced susceptibility towards infection with a pathogen, in particular an oomycete, comprising treating MO seeds of a plant species to be modified with a mutagenic agent to obtain M1 seeds and growing plants therefrom the thus obtained M1 seeds to obtain M1 plants, inoculation of the thus obtained M1+n plants with the pathogen and selecting plants that show a reduction or absence of sporulation of the pathogen as plants having a reduced susceptibility phenotype. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, pollen, cells and tissues that have the reduced susceptibility towards oomycetes.