Project Number: 5302-22000-010-16
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 24, 2012
End Date: Jul 31, 2015

Objective:
1. Cloning and functional determination of virulent genes of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum. 2. Construct and evaluate transgenic potato to suppress putative virulent genes of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.

Approach:
1. Establish ZC-infected plants through graft inoculation (or by psyllid transmission) and conduct the pathogenicity evaluation ZC-infected potato plants under greenhouse and field growing conditions (by collaborator). 2. Perform genome wide sequence analysis, identify and clone virulent genes of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (by ARS Scientist). 3. Conduct molecular characterization and functional analyses of target genes using a heterologous gene expression system (by ARS Scientist). 4. Develop and evaluate zebra chip resistant potato through antisense and/or RNAi techniques (by collaborator and ARS scientist).