|
|
Researchers at the University of California (UC) in Irvine and Davis have made a significant discovery that could revolutionise the fight against the devastating vine disease "Pierce's disease". They identified potential genes in the wild grape variety Vitis arizonica that could be integrated into grapevines in order to develop resistance to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. It triggers the dreaded "Pierce's disease" and affects not only grapevines, but also coffee, almonds, citrus fruits and olives. Pierce's disease causes damage amounting to several billion US dollars every year.
The researchers also discovered that the genes responsible for a pathogen's resistance to antibiotics occur primarily in warm climate zones. Using climate change scenarios, they predicted the future impact of the disease on various crops, including grapevines.
Professor Dario Cantú, one of the study authors, advocates the conservation, maintenance and genetic characterisation of plant collections: "They are of the utmost importance for the discovery of valuable genes for grape breeding programmes." By utilising genetics, genomics and the study of wild plant relatives, scientists would be able to identify valuable resistance traits. In this way, they could improve the resistance of crops to Xylella fastidiosa and similar pathogens.
(al / Source: UCDavis)