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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151415
Title: GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF CARICA PAPAYA FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE

Author
item ZHU, JUDY - HARC
item TANG, C - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
item FERREIRA, STEPHEN - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
item Fitch, Maureen
item Moore, Paul

Submitted to: In Vitro Biology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2002
Publication Date: 11/1/2002
Citation: pg.10-11. Abstract P-2024.

Interpretive Summary: abstract only

Technical Abstract: Papaya, one of the most important tropical fruit crops, is susceptible to more than a dozen fungal pathogens. The major fungal pathogens of this crop are, Phytophthora (Phytophthora palmivra) root and fruit rot, anthracnose (Collectricum gloerosporioides), powdery mildew (Oidium caricae) and black spot (Asperisporium caricae). To control these diseases, papayas are routinely sprayed with fungicides. Control of fungal disease would decrease dependence on fungicides and significantly improve fruit quality. Genetically engineering papaya with several antifungal proteins were explored. Over 50 independent transgenic papaya plants have been produced with various constructs including genes encoding chitinase, stilbene synthase and antifungal peptides. Molecular analysis has been carried out to confirm the integration of transgenes into papaya genome. Bioassays in the greenhouse and field conditions to test their levels of fungal resistance have been carried out and data will be presented in this talk.