Disease-resistant Transgenic Plants Research Articles

RNA interference: a promising biotechnological approach to combat plant pathogens, mechanism and future prospects.

Plant pathogens and other biological pests represent significant obstacles to crop Protection worldwide. Even though there are many effective conventional methods for controlling plant diseases, new methods that are also effective, environmentally safe, and cost-effective are required. While plant breeding has traditionally been used to manipulate the plant genome to develop resistant cultivars for controlling plant diseases, the emergence of genetic engineering has introduced a completely new approach to render plants resistant to bacteria, nematodes, fungi, and viruses. The RNA interference (RNAi) approach has recently emerged as a potentially useful tool for mitigating the inherent risks associated with the development of conventional transgenics. These risks include the use of specific transgenes, gene control sequences, or marker genes. Utilizing RNAi to silence certain genes is a promising solution to this dilemma as disease-resistant transgenic plants can be generated within a legislative structure. Recent investigations have shown that using target double stranded RNAs via an effective vector system can produce significant silencing effects. Both dsRNA-containing crop sprays and transgenic plants carrying RNAi vectors have proven effective in controlling plant diseases that threaten commercially significant crop species. This article discusses the methods and applications of the most recent RNAi technology for reducing plant diseases to ensure sustainable agricultural yields.

Distinct phosphoinositides define the biotrophic interface of plant–microbe interactions

Distinct phosphoinositides define the biotrophic interface of plant–microbe interactions

Development of genetically modified citrus plants for the control of citrus canker and huanglongbing

Citrus cultivation is challenging due to the plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses faced by the crop. In recent years, production has been severely affected by diseases such as citrus canker and huanglongbing (HLB). Disease management is hampered as there is no field resistance to these diseases in any of the important commercially planted varieties. Traditionally, conventional breeding approaches have been applied for the improvement of the susceptible cultivars; however, this technique is laborious and time consuming. Genetic transformation of citrus allows for the rapid integration of novel genes into the plant’s genome to develop disease-resistant transgenic plants. Therefore, efforts have been made to utilize genetic engineering tools to develop genetically modified citrus that are resistant to citrus canker and HLB. This review summarizes the major achievements made in the development of citrus canker and HLB tolerance using transgenic technologies.

Transformation efficiency in Chrysanthemum from various sources of explants

Nowadays, Chrysanthemum is one of the most popular ornamental plants. However their production is constrained by problems with pests and diseases, mainly white rust disease (Puccinia horiana P. Henn). One potential alternative is the development of plants through genetic engineering, namely disease resistant transgenic plants. Problem that often occurs in the process is the inhibition of regeneration of calli from the transformation that makes it difficult for researchers to carry out DNA testing from leaves. Calli regeneration is regulated by several factors, such as the use of explant sources and media composition. This study aims to find best explant sources for transformation results into shoots, for DNA analysis. The study was carried out at the level of transformation with three types of explants namely leaves, lateral shoot buds, and internodes. Genetic transformation was carried out by two-stage co-cultivation method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 which contained pEKB-WD binary vector T-DNA construct. Results showed that the most appropriate genetic transformation of explants originating from internodes was 69.33%, but the explants had the lowest regeneration efficiency (1,92%). The highest regeneration efficiency was obtained in explants originating from lateral shoot buds, which amounted to 77.78% with transformation efficiency 54,00%. Both lowest efficiencies were found in leaves (27,31%) for transformation efficiency and regeneration efficiency of 6,45%.

RNA interference: A novel tool for plant disease management

Plant diseases pose a huge threat to crop production globally. Variations in their genomes cause selection to favor those who can survive pesticides and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops. Though plant breeding has been the classical means of manipulating the plant genome to develop resistant cultivar for controlling plant diseases, the advent of genetic engineering provides an entirely new approach being pursued to render plants resistant to fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has emerged to be a promising therapeutic weapon to mitigate the inherent risks such as the use of a specific transgene, marker gene, or gene control sequences associated with development of traditional transgenics. Silencing specific genes by RNAi is a desirable natural solution to this problem as disease resistant transgenic plants can be produced within a regulatory framework. Recent studies have been successful in producing potent silencing effects by using target double-stranded RNAs through an effective vector system. Transgenic plants expressing RNAi vectors, as well as, dsRNA containing crop sprays have been successful for efficient control of plant pathogens affecting economically important crop species. The present paper discusses strategies and applications of this novel technology in plant disease management for sustainable agriculture production. Key words: Plant disease, RNA interference, transgene, management.

Engineering disease resistance in plants.

Ever since the initial discovery of the molecules and genes involved in disease resistance in plants, attempts have been made to engineer durable disease resistance in economically important crop plants. Unfortunately, many of these attempts have failed, owing to the complexity of disease-resistance signalling and the sheer diversity of infection mechanisms that different pathogens use. Although disease-resistant transgenic plants or seeds are not yet available commercially, future product development seems likely as our current level of understanding of pathogenesis and plant defence improves.

病害抵抗性トランスジェニック植物の開発はどこまで進んだか （上）

病害抵抗性トランスジェニック植物の開発はどこまで進んだか （上）

病害抵抗性トランスジェニック植物の開発はどこまで進んだか （下）

病害抵抗性トランスジェニック植物の開発はどこまで進んだか （下）

Genetic Manipulation of Plants to Improve Postharvest Disease Resistance

What is a transgenic plant? Why create disease-resistant transgenic plants? State-of-the-art : transformation methodology, genes for transfer, examples. Designing the future: postharvest problems, developing postharvest disease-resistant transgenic plants. Concluding remarks: problems to overcome, integrated disease management strategies, safety, philosophy

Production of disease-resistant transgenic plants

Abstract Plants possess a wide range of mechanisms for protecting themselves against infection by pathogenic microorganisms. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the molecular basis of many of these responses and have allowed progress towards the production of transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to pests. Additionally, advances in physical and genetic mapping and identification of host resistance genes will advance our understanding of the function of these genes and their potential for the production of disease-resistant varieties.