Poster: Molecular & Cellular Plant-Microbe Interactions: Plant Defense Responses
765-P
Agroinfiltration-based screening to discover new potato germplasm with resistance against Globodera nematode pests
S. Chen (1), R. Cui (1), X. Wang (2) (1) Cornell University, U.S.A.; (2) USDA-ARS, U.S.A.
Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) are of worldwide regulatory concern and considered to the most economically important pests of potato, causing > 80% yield loss. The U.S. potato industry has been adversely affected due to the emergence of G. pallida in Idaho and a virulent G. rostochiensis pathotype in New York and the lack of resistant potato cultivars. Using host resistance is the most effective and sustainable means for nematode control. Like other plant pathogens, nematodes secrete effector proteins into root cells to suppress host plant defenses, leading to successful infection. However, specific effectors can be recognized by host resistance proteins and trigger plant defense, which often results in a hypersensitive response (HR) believed to halt pathogen infection. “Effectoromics” is a high-throughput, functional genomics approach that uses effectors to potentially detect R genes in plants. Wild potato species offer an extremely rich source of resistance against Globodera nematodes. We have established an agroinfiltration assay in wild potato species. Our initial screening of forty-two wild potato accessions with a group of PCN-secreted effectors showed the occurrence of an HR phenotype when specific effectors were transiently expressed in potato leaves. The results indicate that this “Effectoromics” approach may be a valuable tool that helps to accelerate resistance breeding against Globodera nematode pests.