INTEREST

Intercontinental and temporal research studies on transgene engineered in plums

 Partecipanti

Mappa

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Plums are considered as the most commonly grown stone-fruits in Europe and other temperate areas in the world. However this species is threatened by plum pox virus (PPV). The development of virus-resistant fruit-trees is considered as a major breakthrough in the successful use of biotechnology. The genetically modified (GM) HoneySweet Prunus domestica plum is a potential model for studying a perennial GM tree. HoneySweet is presently deregulated in the USA and this cultivar present a realistic model with which to address the arrival of a new fruit in European agriculture allowing for the practical evaluation of important questions concerning fruit quality and traceability. The programme action will provide scientists exchange opportunities supported by IRSES. The structuring action of the programme will develop two aspects of the ongoing research, notably the agronomic efficiency and genetic stability of HoneySweet in greenhouse, screenhouse containment and the field both with and without natural occurence of PPV. The proposal will aim to demonstrate the potential of GM fruit-trees for growers, develop the molecular tools and methodologies concerning virus resistance and notably the environmental effects studies in greenhouse compared with field natural conditions. Our objective is to evaluate the potential value of a GM fruit to reduce the threat of a quarentine pest like PPV and the dynamics of the climate change. These joint actions will provide a real consistency to the international cooperation between EU and USA: the exchange of scientist staff will connect the three research teams for three years with a collaborative network to better understand the long-term sustainable resistance displayed by GM fruit-trees through the present context of climate change which will impact the range of hosts and their pathogens and bring new hosts within the range of existing pathogens.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A genetically modified (GM) virus-resistant plum may pave the way for the introduction of other GM fruit trees to Europe. This could help European fruit trees resist new pathogens that are now being introduced to Europe and the spread of existing pathogens due to climate change.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Plum pox virus (PPV) causes severe disease in plums and other stone fruit trees throughout Europe, and more recently the Americas. Transmitted by aphids and spread long distances by transferring infected plant material to new locations, the only defence against the disease is to destroy all infected trees.

The EU-funded 'Intercontinental and temporal research studies on transgene engineered in plums' (INTEREST) project is characterising a GM plum tree as a potential PPV-resistant cultivar. The GM cultivar, http://www.inra.fr/honeysweet-plum-silencing (HoneySweet), contains a gene from the virus that protects the plant through acquired immunity, much like vaccination in animals.

In over 13 years of field testing in the Czech Republic, researchers have shown that HoneySweet is highly resistant to PPV and could benefit European agriculture. INTEREST is therefore evaluating HoneySweet's potential as a model GM fruit tree, particularly to address concerns about introducing this technology into the European environment.

Researchers first studied the resistance mechanism and durability of HoneySweet plants grown in different agro-climatic conditions in the Czech Republic and the United States and in a greenhouse controlled condition in France. They also looked at different virus exposure levels in the EU.

INTEREST tested virus resistance using both artificial graft inoculation, where an infected part of a susceptible plant is grafted onto virus-free rootstocks, and natural aphid transmission. Importantly, through these artificial conditions, they detected PPV only in leaves situated close to the inoculation point, indicating that the virus could not spread to other tissues.

HoneySweet's fruit quality and quantity was not affected by PPV infection, even when researchers added other severe plum viruses to increase the viral load.

While researchers are still collecting data on the PPV resistance mechanism, including how the GM-derived gene interacts with natural plant genes, INTEREST is showing great promise in terms of virus resistance and safety. In addition to economic benefits gained from combating PPV, the environment should benefit through reduced use of the insecticides normally required to kill aphids.