ARS | Publication request: Biotechnological approaches for resistance to viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas

Submitted to: Virus and Viruslike Diseases of Pome and Stone Fruit
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2011
Publication Date: July 26, 2011
Citation: Ravelonandro, M., Scorza, R., Hammond, R. 2011. Biotechnological approaches for resistance to viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas. In: Hadidi, A., Barba, M., Candresse, T., and Jelkmann, W., editors. Virus and Viruslike Diseases of Pome and Stone Fruit. Saint Paul, MN: APS Press. p. 428.

Technical Abstract: The application of biotechnology, specifically pathogen-derived resistance (PDR) (Sanford and Johnston, 1985), to the control of major pathogens of fruit crops is now feasible. Here, we present some of the different approaches that have been explored to combat viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas based on the genetic engineering (GE) of plants. Improvements in plant regeneration, plant transformation, vector construction, and gene isolation, along with the discovery of gene silencing as a natural process of disease resistance, have led to important breakthroughs in virus resistance. Specific examples of genetically engineered, virus-resistant fruit crops are highlighted in this review. Fruit species including citrus and grapevine (Vigne et al., 2004; Maghuly et al., 2006; Febres et al., 2008; Zanek et al., 2008), and papaya and Prunus sp. are presently included in the group of plant species improved through GE. Our report illustrates the usefulness of these GE crops and will discuss some of the most important biotechnological strategies for developing disease resistant plants.