RNAi technology for papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) resistance in papaya
2011
Phansawat, T. | Chowpongpang, S., Kasetsart Univ., Bangkok 10900 (Thailand). Dept. of Plant Pathology
The increasing average global temperature owing to global warming contributes to the rising number of disease-carrying insects, particularly the fast-growing aphids - a major carrier of papaya ringspot virus disease (PRSV) - and their shorter life cycles. PRSV-infected papaya trees bear growth-inhibited fruit that are tainted by ring spots on the surface, and their trunks are dwarfed. PRSV is difficult to control without felling. The growing number of carriers poses a higher risk of spread of the disease. Conventional breeding is time-consuming and so far not been successful in producing a truly PRSV-resistant variety. Moreover, the Thai government does not promote cultivation of genetically-modified plants, despite the fact that it is an effective way to contain the spread of the disease. This research work applies the grafting technique in combination with the RNA-interference technology to induce PRSV-resistance in papaya. Papayas of a commercial variety (Carica papaya Linn.) were grafted onto those of another variety that is resistant to the disease. After three PRSV cultures, each with two 15-day intervals between, the results were papaya trees that were substantially more PSRV-resistant than the papaya of the same variety but not grafted by the same method and the non-resistant varieties. It is speculated that this technique could be used to produce papaya that is resistant to the disease irrespective of their variety. This would, in turn, provide a solution in relation to anti-GMO sentiment, since the genetically-modified stock signals PSRV resistance exclusively to the scion while the fruits remain of the genetic variety.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by University of the Philippines at Los Baños