Spray-induced gene shutdown for controlling sugar beet diseases

Last changed: 20 December 2023

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora beticola, is a fungal disease on sugar beet causing up to 50% yield loss. With ongoing climate change, an increased frequency of sporadic outbreaks has been observed in Sweden and Denmark. Furthermore, C. beticola could be spread by commercial table beet seed. No known genetic resistance and commercially available fungicide can completely stop, only slow down CLS. There is an urgent need to develop alternative means for CLS control.

RNA interference is a conserved cellular mechanism mediated by naturally occurring double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that can target mRNAs for destruction. Spraying dsRNAs that target essential pathogen genes onto plants or seeds (spray-induced gene silencing [SIGS]) can yield crop protection. This project aims to develop SIGS to control CLS.

We propose to understand: 1) If SIGS can control CLS 2,) risk associated with SIGS if there are any on cultivated crops and their microbiomes 3) the mechanisms of sRNAs uptake and silencing of genes in C. beticola. Several C. beticola virulence factors have already been identified and will be evaluated as target genes for SIGS. We will use dual RNA sequencing of C. beticola – sugar beet interactions (sRNA and mRNA), combined with functional assays, to understand the transport mechanism of sRNAs. We will test SIGS in the greenhouse and field conditions with high throughput phenotyping. SIGS has the unique potential to provide sustainable control of CLS.

Facts:

Project: Spray-induced gene shutdown for controlling sugar beet diseases

Funding body: SSF

Project period: 1 jan 2022 - 31 dec 2024 

Projekt leader: Ramesh Vetukuri

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