Project Number: 500-42-001-60
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Mar 31, 2004
End Date: Mar 30, 2005

Objective:
Develop RB transgenic potato lines using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Conduct molecular characterization and confirm biological activity (foliar and tuber late blight resistance) of these RB transgenic lines; transform our late blight resistant advanced breeding lines with the RB gene to create varieties with multiple resistance genes, and develop transgenic potato clones that have only the potato RB gene inserted and expressed, and lacking a selectable marker.

Approach:
Transform both a susceptible cultivar (Atlantic) and our chip processing, late blight resistant advanced breeding line (MSJ461-1); follow the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol developed for potato (Douches et al. 1997) using potato leaf and stem explants; assess the effectiveness of the late blight resistance from the RB gene; greenhouse foliar and tuber resistance evaluations will be conducted according to Douches et al. (1997) and Kirk, et al. (2001), respectively; standard Southern and northern analysis will be conducted to determine gene copy number and transcription levels of the RB gene. Each of the four late blight resistant germplasm (MSJ461-1, Jacqueline Lee, MSJ319-1 and MSL757-1) with different late blight resistance sources, will be transformed with the RB gene construct as described above.

Project Team

Bennett, A. Rick David Douches - Professor 301-504-6915

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)   Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)