Tomato Plants Resistant to Botrytis cinerea via Marker-Assisted Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no known resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato cultivars, and existing control methods for the fungus are limited, leading to significant crop losses due to its high genetic variability and resistance to fungicides.

Innovation Solution

A DNA marker linked to the Botrytis cinerea resistance locus in tomato plants, specifically from Solanum habrochaites 04TEP990312, is used to identify and introduce resistance, allowing for the development of Botrytis-resistant tomato plants through genetic markers and marker-assisted selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical strategies (fungicides) are used to control Botrytis cinerea, then crop losses can be reduced, but the high genetic variability of the fungus leads to emergence of resistant strains and limited effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of fungicide controlVSAvoidgenetic variability of fungus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of Botrytis cinerea's genetic variability into a benefit by using marker-assisted selection to identify and propagate plants with natural resistance genes. Instead of fighting the fungus's adaptability with chemicals, the invention leverages genetic tools to create plants that are inherently resistant, turning the problem of fungal variability into an opportunity for selective breeding of resistant cultivars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical control mechanism (fungicides) with a genetic mechanism (marker-assisted selection). By using DNA markers linked to resistance loci, the invention enables selective breeding programs to identify and propagate resistant plants without relying on chemical applications, thereby eliminating the problem of fungicide resistance and reducing crop losses through genetic rather than chemical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional breeding methods are used to develop resistant cultivars, then resistance can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and lacks precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to Botrytis cinereaVSAvoidbreeding cycle duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by identifying and characterizing resistance loci and their associated DNA markers before the actual breeding process. By pre-mapping resistance genes and developing marker-assisted selection protocols in advance, the breeding program can rapidly identify resistant plants without undergoing lengthy phenotypic screening, thereby reducing the overall breeding cycle time while maintaining reliable resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming conventional breeding methods with a more precise genetic approach. Instead of relying on slow phenotypic selection and multiple generations of crossing, the invention uses DNA markers linked to resistance loci to directly identify and select resistant plants, dramatically accelerating the breeding process while ensuring reliable resistance through molecular rather than purely phenotypic criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If protective fungicides are applied pre-harvest, then established infections cannot be suppressed, but crop losses can be minimized, whereas post-harvest control is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of established infectionsVSAvoidcrop loss reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the limitation of protective fungicides into a benefit by developing plants with inherent resistance that do not require chemical protection. By using marker-assisted selection to identify and propagate resistant cultivars, the invention eliminates the need for pre-harvest fungicide applications, thereby avoiding the problem of established infections while maintaining crop loss reduction through genetic resistance rather than chemical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical protection mechanism (fungicides) with a genetic mechanism (natural resistance). By using DNA markers to identify and select plants carrying resistance genes, the invention enables producers to cultivate plants that are naturally resistant to Botrytis cinerea, eliminating the need for pre-harvest chemical applications and thereby solving the problem of ineffective post-harvest control while maintaining crop productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2467487B1Disease resistant tomato plants

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to cultivated tomato plants that are resistant to the pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, which is control led by at least one QTL, particularly by 2 and 3 QTL contributing to said resistance, wherein said QTL are mapping to linkage group 6, and/or linkage group 1 b and/or linkage group 9b. The invention further relates to methods for producing said plants, and to the use thereof.