Research demonstrates the natural movement of disease-resistant genes and the potential benefits of precision gene-editing technology in supporting sustainable practices and increasing farmer yields.
Recently, a Corteva study confirmed that disease resistance genes in the corn genome can naturally move positions, and this discovery can be applied to new breeding technologies. Research shows that gene editing tools such as CRISPR can simulate this naturally occurring process and reposition multiple disease resistance genes, which will speed up the process of plant breeding and is of great significance to plant disease prevention and control.
In nature, in order to resist attacks by various pathogens, plants continue to promote the natural movement of disease-resistant genes in the genome. However, the natural movement speed of this gene is very slow... and cannot effectively cope with the pressure brought by global diseases and climate change. New breeding technologies not only simplify disease control options for farmers, they can also improve farm sustainability by reducing the need for plant protection products, reducing disease pressure on crops and thus providing seeds that can better withstand field challenges.
Research published in a recent issue of Molecular Plant Pathology shows that gene-editing tools such as CRISPR can mimic this naturally occurring process, unleashing the ability to reposition multiple disease-resistant genes and speeding up plant breeding, and provide enhanced, high-performance products for humanity.
Last March (2023), Corteva announced that early-stage use of its proprietary gene-editing technology to address several North American corn diseases was advancing through the company's R&D pipeline. Using CRISPR, the company can precisely co-localize disease resistance traits that are already present in the corn genome. Through recent peer-reviewed research, Corteva demonstrated that disease resistance genes move naturally to help plants defend themselves against pathogen attacks, but only very slowly.
Wendy Srnic, vice president of biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience said: "Plants are able to cope with a wide range of pathogens, prompting the natural movement of their genes through the genome to resist disease and improve survival. " "However, this natural gene flow occurs too slowly to effectively address the rapid growth of disease and climate-related pressures faced by farmers around the world. Through our research, we have validated the ability to reflect gene movement, allowing us to apply new breeding techniques to provide seeds that can better withstand challenges in the field. "
In 2021, large leaf spot, southern rust, gray leaf spot and anthracnose stalk rot combined to cost North American corn growers more than 318 million bushels. By leveraging new breeding technologies, Corteva not only simplifies disease management options for farmers, but also improves farm sustainability by reducing the need for additional crop protection product applications to help combat disease pressure.
"Innovating through advanced breeding technologies, we aim to achieve transformational change," Srnic added. "Through these technologies, we can harness and replicate naturally occurring processes to accelerate seed development, improve resistance and yield. We are committed to providing farmers with more growing options while continuing to protect our natural resources for future generations."
