Protein translational control by gene editing for increased stress resilience especially to Phytophthora infestans

More than 20% of the fungicides used in agriculture are attributed to control late blight (Phytophthora infestans) disease within the Swedish potato agro industry.

This proposal aims to provide solutions for reducing this high level as well as generate potato with general stress resilience.

Breeding strategies and extensive mono-culturing of many elite potato cultivars of today have resulted in genetic adaptation of P. infestans to rapidly overcome resistance mediated via the classical NBS-LRR resistance genes (R-genes).

Interestingly, in recent years elimination of susceptibility genes (S-gene loss of function) and modulation of general plant stress resistance factors has proven to confer a more sustainable and broader resistance. We have identified an S-gene that confer up to 60% reduction in late blight infection.

For generating stronger resistance the S-gene approach will be combined with gene-edited increased translation of transcription factors (R factors) important for plant innate immunity.

This method is based on removal of alternative open reading frames that would direct more translation of the correct protein without adding any new DNA to the plant. Late blight resistance and water stress conditions will be assessed.

We claim that the proposed basic and applied research will be partly translational to other crops and add to the toolbox needed for generating a more sustainable agriculture and horticulture.