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Investigation of transcriptional regulation and functional characterisation of fungus disease candidate resistance genes in grapevine
Project
Project code: JKI-ZR-08-1102
Contract period: 01.08.2010
- 30.04.2014
Purpose of research: Applied research
Viticulture relies on traditional grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) that are highly susceptible to downy (Plasmopara viticola) and powdery (Erysiphe necator) mildew fungi. These pathogens were introduced into Europe in the 19th century. Since this time, heavy and repeated fungicide applications are unavoidable, but need to be considerably reduced to develop sustainable and environmentally safe viticultural practices. This aim is pursued by resistance breeding. American and Asia wild grape species are employed to introgress resistance traits. To rationalize this process molecular markers in linkage to resistance have been developed during the last years. They enable an early selection and indicate the combination of several resistance traits of different origin in breeding material. The markers available however, are not resistance genes, but linkes alleles of microsatellite loci. To increase the efficiency of marker assisted selection and to understand the operating cellular resistance mechanisms of sucessful defense it is necessary to investigate the function of the genes involved. Previous comparative differential gene expression studies yielded a number of canidate resistance genes whose transcripts accumulate to high levels during pathogen challenge in fungus-resistant grapes. These genes are present also in susceptible cultivars but activated much more slowly or only to a very low level during pathogen attack. The difference between resistance and susceptibility therefore relies on different regulatory responses. It is the aim of this research proposal to investigate the promoters and gene products (especially transcription factors) involved.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Viticulture
