Spinach Plant Broad-Spectrum Peronospora Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinach cultivars are susceptible to a wide range of Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae (Pfs) races, including newly identified isolates, as the pathogen continuously adapts to overcome existing resistances, necessitating the development of broad-spectrum resistance in spinach plants.
Innovation Solution
A spinach plant with resistance to Peronospora farinosa races 1-9, 11-15, and isolate UA1014APLP, achieved through introgression from seeds deposited under NCIMB accession number 42392, providing stable resistance to progeny and potentially new pathogenic isolates, using traditional breeding techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinach cultivars use existing resistance genes, then resistance to specific Pfs races is achieved, but the pathogen adapts and overcomes the resistance, leading to loss of effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance is divided into multiple independent resistance genes (at least two different resistance genes) that target different Pfs races. This segmentation ensures that if the pathogen adapts to overcome one resistance gene, the other resistance genes remain effective, maintaining overall resistance reliability against the diverse and adapting pathogen population
Solution Approach 2:
The spinach cultivar combines multiple resistance genes from different sources (including wild spinach relatives) to create a composite resistance profile. This composite approach integrates diverse genetic resistance mechanisms that collectively protect against a broad spectrum of Pfs races, making it harder for the pathogen to adapt and overcome all resistances simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If spinach cultivars are bred for resistance to multiple Pfs races, then broad-spectrum resistance is achieved, but the complexity of breeding and gene combination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance genes are selected and combined to provide universal protection against multiple Pfs races (at least races 1-9 and 11-15). These multi-functional resistance genes simultaneously defend against diverse pathogen races, achieving broad-spectrum resistance without requiring separate resistance mechanisms for each race, thereby simplifying the breeding approach
Solution Approach 2:
Wild spinach relatives serve as intermediary sources of resistance genes. These wild relatives naturally possess resistance to multiple Pfs races, acting as intermediaries that transfer pre-combined resistance gene sets to cultivated spinach through controlled crossing, reducing the complexity of directly breeding multi-race resistance in cultivated varieties
3Adaptability or versatility
If new resistance genes are continuously developed to counter new Pfs isolates, then resistance to new threats is achieved, but the time and resources required for breeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program preliminarily combines multiple resistance genes targeting currently known Pfs races (1-9 and 11-15) into single cultivars before new threats emerge. This preliminary action creates pre-adapted cultivars that are ready to face known challenges, reducing the need for rapid subsequent breeding when new isolates appear
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance profile is designed to be dynamic and expandable. The cultivar includes at least two different resistance genes that can be further combined with additional resistance genes as new Pfs races are identified. This dynamic structure allows the resistance system to evolve and adapt to new threats without requiring complete re-breeding, saving time and resources
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention concerns a spinach plant comprising resistance against Peronospora farinosa races 1-9, 11-15 and isolate UA1014APLP.