New potato varieties with late blight and potato cyst nematode resistance, reduced bruising and improved processing quality

P. E. Urwin, University of LeedsHorticulture and Potato Initiative

Prof Jonathan Jones works on mechanisms of gene-dependent plant disease resistance.

Profs Urwin and Atkinson research novel transgenicsolutions to plant parasitic nematodes.

New potato varieties with late blight and potato cyst nematode resistance, reduced bruising and improved processing quality

BioPotatoes Limited was established five years ago withthe specific objective of catalysing the development of GMpotato varieties with robust disease and pest resistanceand other useful traits.

J.R. Simplot is the leading US potato processor with astrong commitment to advanced biotechnology. Two of itsGM varieties are in the final stages of FDA approval andare expected to be grown commercially from 2015onwards.

The project has the endorsement of the AHDB Potatoes -communicate the benefits of GM varieties to the widerpublic.

BioPotatoes

Objectives of the project

Objective 1. Create construct for late blight resistance, andtransform Maris Piper and Agria using 3 resistance genes.

Objective 2. Validate efficacy of a 3-gene T-DNA for LowAcrylamide and Bruise Control.

Silence vacuolar acid invertase and asparagine synthaseSilence a specific polyphenol oxidase

Objective 3. Validate efficacy of a two-gene construct forPCN resistance.

Peptide that disrupts chemo-attractionProteinase inhibitor

Objective 4. Create construct conferring late blightresistance, low acrylamide and bruise control.

Objective 5. Create late blight-resistant Maris Piper andAgria lines that carry 3 genes for Low Acrylamide and BruiseControl and two genes for PCN resistance.

Nematode control: proteinase inhibitors

Nematode cysteine proteinase genes have been characterised Enzyme activity is in the intestine Expression of plant cystatins as transgenes suppresses proteinase activity of

the nematode Tested both in containment and in field trials Nematode reproductive success is reduced

Syncytium

PCN

Proteinase inhibitor (cystatin)

Proteinase

Host location and migration into the root involves neurones in chemoreception

Small molecules are taken up by certain sensory neurons

Make the peptide CTTMHPRLC Juvenile nematodes exposed to the peptide are unable

to move towards potato root diffusate in laboratory assays

Generate GM plants that secrete the peptide from the roots into the soil

The juvenile nematodes are unable to locate the plant resulting in reduced infection

Nematode control: disrupt attraction to the plant

Amphids

neuron cell bodies

neuron

nerve ring

Uptake of labelled-peptide

Attractant

Nematodetrack

Future directions

Precise way of editing the genome. Developed from a method that bacteria use to protect themselves from viruses

Genome editing mediated by enzymes that repair DNA

Relatively easily and efficiently modify the plant’s own genes

Genome editing (CRISPR).

Synthetic biology. Building pathways in plants by incorporation of several genes in one transformation event

Facilitates traits that require more than one gene

Future tools for improved potato late blight management

DAVID COOKE, JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE

Overview – current research goals

• Tracking changing pathogen populations – national and international

• Predicting blight infection and spread – models and biology

• Smarter spray advice based on in-crop met data and inoculum capture

• Improved management via intelligent use of host and pathogen genome data

• Incorporating ‘big data’ into models as a core activity

Breadth of current funding

• Underpinning research on pathogen and host– Fight Against Blight – AHDB Potatoes– Euroblight population studies – Industry sponsored– Independent Variety Trials - AHDB Potatoes– Pre-breeding/genetics – Scottish Government, BBSRC– Pathogen biology and genomics - Scottish Government, BBSRC– Model development - Scottish Government

• New tools/products to aid management – New Smith Period and risk model – PhD, AHDB Potatoes– Improved curative fungicide timing – PhD, AHDB Potatoes– BlightSense – SoilEssentials, Cambridge University, Syngenta, Hutton, Innovate UK– BlightAlert - Crop Performance Limited - Innovate UK– Poptical - URSULA Agriculture, - Innovate UK– CropForecast – SoilEssentials, Technology Strategy Board– Breeding – Commercial companies and James Hutton Limited

• Applied modelling– HAPI late blight project – Rothamsted Research, BBSRC– ICCRI Future pest and pathogen threats – ClimateXChange, Scottish Government

Understanding population change and its impact

• ‘Knowing the enemy’ underpins disease management

Time Space Genetics

Updating late blight decision support• Pathogen response to humidity & temperature

• Previous outbreaks in light of Met Office Smith Period data

• Linking met data to spatial model of disease risk to improve advice to industry

Siobhan Dancey and Pete Skelsey

Blight Alert - real-time inoculum detection

• Improved advice on inoculum spread

• Other Innovate UK projects exploring in-field spore detection and use of drones to spot early infection

DNA release& quantification

Test result & met data sent by phone text

Auto Spore SamplerDispersal risk modelDispersal risk model

Grower makes spray decisionGrower makes spray decision

• Advocate greater use of on-farm or in-crop met stations and data sharing to benefit UK agriculture

Risk Alert message

Low, moderate or

high risk

Risk Alert message

Low, moderate or

high risk

Genomics leading to durable resistance• Increased pressure to reduce fungicide input

• Greater understanding of pathogen effector genes and their matching Solanum resistance genes

• Finding durable resistance that is harder to evade

• Incorporation by crossing, GM or gene editing

• Efficient deployment critical using landscape models

• Data sharing important

Jupe et al., 2013 Plant Journal

Petra Boevink James HuttonPetra Boevink James HuttonPetra Boevink James Hutton

HAPI project – integrated deployment• Aim: To maximise durability of

effective control by integrated deployment of host resistance and fungicides

• Two dynamic interactions

• Testing hypotheses in field trials– Deploying host resistance

reduces selection for fungicide resistance

– Use of fungicides reduces selection for virulence

– Integration provides durability

Introduction of new MOA

Evolution of insensitivity

Evolution of virulence

Introduction of new R gene

Fungicides

HostResistance

Modelling framework

• Bringing data from these projects together in models linking crop growth and location, enviroment, disease risk and future climate

• A ‘virtual lab’ for use in a heuristic way to explore new scenarios and guide research for improved management

Pete Skelsey