Project
LWV23045 Testing methods for, and selection of, resistance against bacterial wilt in potato by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex
Bacteria belonging to the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) are the causative agents of wilting diseases in a broad range of arable and horticultural crops. Amongst them are several crops of great importance for food production, such as potato, tomato and banana. RSSC members are on quarantine and select agents lists in the EU and US, respectively.
Because of their aggressiveness, broad host range, contagious nature, persistence in agricultural ecosystems, and worldwide distribution, RSSC are considered among the most destructive plant pathogens worldwide. In close connection with potato breeders, in this project testing methods will be developed to screen for resistance against bacterial wilt, also under quarantine conditions. Novel, non-overlapping and complementary sources of resistance in potato against RSSC will be identified. Five main deliverables can be distinguished:
- A representative panel of RSSC strains pathogenic on potato, based on phylogeny, host range, geographic origin and in particular the effector repertoire;
- Rapid and efficient methods to screen breeding material for resistance against bacterial wilt, under quarantine conditions and non-quarantine conditions;
- Generation of effector libraries and development of effector assays;
- Identification and characterization of RSSC-resistant, tuber-bearing wild Solanum species, that are crossable with tuberosum;
- Molecular markers and pre-breeding material for selection of RSSC resistant potato varieties.
With the knowledge and pre-breeding material produced in this project, RSSC resistant potato varieties will be bred, which will offer more phytosanitary certainty in areas where RSSC infections occur incidentally (such as in the Netherlands) and will offer increased potato production in tropical areas where the pathogen is endemic, resulting in higher food security.