Project Number: 3655-21000-049-18
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 14, 2010
End Date: Jul 31, 2013

Objective:
In 2009, a new late blight strain US-22 was identified along the East coast and as far west as Wisconsin. This strain was virulent on potatoes and significantly impacted potato production in affected areas. There was greater variation in the strains identified in potato fields in the U.S. in 2010, however US-22 was again identified in WI along with US-23 and 24. Although not yet present in the USA, destructive and highly virulent strains of P. Infestans have spread through Europe (genotype Blue 13), and are present in Guatemala (currently uncharacterized). These new strains can be much more aggressive compared to the old populations. We need to be prepared with germplasm that is resistant to highly virulent strains. Specific objectives: 1. Conduct transformations with candidate sequences of a putative S. microdontum R-gene. 2. Identify functional orthologs of the late blight R-gene RB from disease resistant wild germplasm and test the functionality of these genes using a transient expression assay. 3. Evaluate the late blight resistant potato advanced breeding lines including the varieties 'Defender' and 'Jacqueline Lee' for resistance to Blue 13 and identify the presence of genes that recognize P. infestans effectors.

Approach:
Stable transformation of LB susceptible potato with candidate resistance genes. Transgenic plants will be evaluated for resistance to LB. Crossing transgenic plants containing the RB gene or the newly discovered gene with conventionally bred LB resistant varieties will also be done.