Late blight is a disease which affects potatoes. It is caused by Phytophthora infestans, and is controlled by chemical applications on the crop. P. infestans, however, evolves rapidly, so that most control methods are providing to be ineffective.

An alternative would be to incorporate the gene for late blight resistance into potato. But where can this gene be found? Tae-Ho Park of Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and colleagues take the first step in identifying the gene by undertaking "High resolution mapping and analysis of the resistance locus Rpi-abpt against Phytophthora infestans in potato." Their findings are published in Molecular Breeding.

Scientists were able to narrow their search down to Rpi-abpt, a resistance locus originating from Solanum bulbocastanum. They then mapped and completely sequenced the locus, and found that it was similar to a like locus in tomato. Its protein product was also found to be similar to several disease resistance related proteins from other plants.

Molecular Breeding subscribers can read more at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11032-005-1925-z. Other readers can view the abstract at the same site.

Source: CropBiotech Update