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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88304
Title: MODIFICATION OF PHYTOALEXIN STRUCTURE TO IMPROVE COTTON RESISTANCE TO WILTS

Author
item Stipanovic, Robert - Bob
item LIU, JINGGAO
item BENEDICT, C - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Bell, Alois - Al

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: New wilt resistant cotton cultivars are capable of recognizing Verticillium dahliae within 12 hours after inoculation as exhibited by maximal mRNA levels for genes involved in lignin and phytoalexin synthesis. Since the new resistant cultivars already exhibit early recognition of the pathogen, it behooves us to focus on improving other defense mechanisms in order to further increase resistance. Phytoalexins play an essential role in cotton's active defense response. As scuh, we are focusing our research on enhancing the potency of these compounds via two routes: 1) use antisense constructs to reduce the concentrations of the less toxic compounds and 2) introduce genes from related genera that will allow the biosynthesis of more toxic phytoalexins.