United Kingdom
November 1, 2007
Scientists have identified a new
way to breed brassicas, which include broccoli, cabbage and
oilseed rape, resistant to a damaging virus. Their discovery has
characterised a form of resistance that appears to be durable,
broad-spectrum and unlikely to be overcome by the virus over
time. Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is an economically devastating
virus that infects a wide range of cultivated plants, but
especially brassicas. In research published recently in the
Journal of General
Virology, scientists at
Warwick HRI
and collaborators have identified genes that confer resistance
to the virus and, crucially, as multiple genes are involved,
provide resistance that the virus appears not to have been able
to evolve to overcome.
The research, funded by the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(BBSRC) and others, could have important broader implications
for plant breeders and farmers as TuMV is a member of the
Potyvirus family - the biggest family of viruses that attack
plants - and an important model for understanding other viruses.
The Warwick HRI scientists have examined a number of types of
genes that determine plant responses to virus attack. One
response is for the plant to kill off individual cells if they
become infected, thereby restricting the viral infection to a
very localised area of the plant. Another response is to
restrict virus movement within the plant and stop its spread
from leaf to leaf. The researchers have identified a number of
genes that appear to not allow any replication of the virus in
plants when it is introduced into the plant.
Dr John Walsh, the research group leader, said: "Turnip mosaic
virus can cause big economic losses for farmers. We have
identified multiple genes that give some varieties of brassica
resistance to the virus. By breeding these genes into commercial
varieties of the crop, using conventional techniques, breeders
can protect them from attack. But most importantly, we have
identified broad-spectrum resistance provided by a number of
genes. This means we potentially have the means to develop
brassicas, such as broccoli, that will be robust enough to
prevent the virus mutating to overcome the resistance."
Professor Simon Bright, Director of Warwick HRI, commented:
"This research demonstrates the importance of centres such as
Warwick HRI in linking fundamental bioscience to developments
that benefit growers and consumers. In the three years since we
transferred to become part of the University of Warwick, Warwick
HRI has built on its core strengths in horticulture and is now
at the forefront of efforts, such as the BBSRC Crop Science
Initiative, to turn excellent plant science in to real benefits
for crop production."
Dr Walsh's team has recently been awarded more funding by BBSRC
under its Crop Science Initiative to take this research further.
Genetic control of broad-spectrum resistance to Turnip mosaic
virus (TuMV) in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage)
Rusholme, R.L., Higgins, E.E., Walsh, J.A. & Lydiate, D.J.
Journal of General
Virology 88, 3177-3186 (November, 2007)
The research was funded by BBSRC, the Department of the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the European Union and
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life
sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around
£380 million in a wide range of research that makes a
significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens
and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders
including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and
pharmaceutical sectors. |
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