PATHOGEN RESISTANT GRAIN LEGUMES USING GENE TRANSFER METHODS

Objective

The EU needs to reduce the unacceptable risk of its reliance on imported protein (the protein self-sufficiency rate is about 36").
This is best achieved by making grain legume production more efficient and competitive. Fungal pathogens impose inefficiences on grain legume production through both direct damage to crops and the requirement for fungicides. Transformation technology in legumes has now advanced to the stage where applications can now be considered. It is proposed to build new pathogen resistance into the major European grain legumes and to test the effectiveness in biomclecular, glasshouse and field tests. Genes for three types of potentially useful anti-fungal plant-derived proteins will be introduced into the major European grain legumes.
These three types are: the gene for the phytoalexin-synthesising enzyme stilbene synthase; the gene for an inhibitor of an important cell wall degrading enzyme of fungal pathogens, polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (PGIP); and a combination of the genes for osmotin and endo-chitinase.
Additional genes are available to the participants and will be used if the progress of the work allows.
These genes will be driven by suitable promoters and transformants will be screened for stable integration and suitable levels of expression. The efficiency of transformation methods will be compared and the best one selected to permit the generation of sufficient transformants to be screened for expression levels.
Studies will be made on the effect of the expression of these transgenes on major pathogens of peas, faba beans, chickpeas and lupins. These pathogens will include Botrytis species in all four grain legume crops, and species of the Ascochyta complex and the foot and root rot complex in the first three crops. The effects of transgene expression will be studied at three levels. Fungal growth in infected tissues will be quantified rapidly using ELISA; whole plant tests in containment will be performed by commercial breeders; and field trials will be made by a consortium of breeders to test effectiveness against selected pea pathogens in a field experiment.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › genetic engineering › gene therapy
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › mycology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture › grains and oilseeds › legumes

Programme(s)

• FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 4.4.1 - Plant health

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)

Address

Invergowrie
DD2 5DA Dundee
United Kingdom

Participants (7)

FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN

Germany

Address

Albrecht-thaer-weg, 6
14195 Berlin

GROUPEMENT DES SELECTIONNEURS DE POIS PROTEAGINEUX - GIE

France

Address

Domaine De Brunehaut
80200 Estrees-mons

I.N.R.A. - CENTRE DE VERSAILLES

France

Address

Route De Saint-cyr
78026 Versailles

NUNHEMS ZADEN BV

Netherlands

Address

Voort, 6 - P.o. Box 4005
6080 AA Haelen

Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)

United Kingdom

Address

Invergowrie
DD2 5DA Dundee

UNIVERSITÄT HANNOVER

Germany

Address

Herrenhäuser Straße, 2
30419 Hannover

Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

Italy

Address

Via Università 100
80055 Portici Napoli