Proceedings of the XLV Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics - SIGA Annual Congress

Salsomaggiore Terme, Italy - 26/29 September, 2001

ISBN 88-900622-1-5

Poster Abstract

PROJECT EURICE: ANTIFUNGAL GENES IN RICE AS A STRATEGY FOR CROP PROTECTION – A BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH

LUPOTTO E.

on behalf of the EURICE (QLK5-CT1999-1484) Consortium

Istituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, Via Stezzano 24, 24126 Bergamo, Italy

biotechnology, crop protection, fungal pathogens, defence genes

The EURICE Project proposes to improve and evaluate the use of genes expressed and involved in the resistance to fungal attack in the control of rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and other fungal diseases, as major pests for rice in Europe. This approach aims to create new rice genotypes enhanced for resistance and addresses to the obtention of modified cultivars protected against massive attacks of the pathogens as well as to an evaluation of the genetically modified genotypes in the environment. Three genes of different origin shown to be implicated in the process of fungal infection were chosen as potential source of resistance because of their different characteristics and modality of action. They were identified and cloned from various organisms. During the first year activity of the project, these genes were cloned under the strong constitutive promoter for monocot plants pubi1 of maize, and introduced via genetic transformation into European rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. The rice genotypes chosen are representative of the main rice cultivating regions in Europe: Italy, Spain, Greece and France. The work considers first single genes driven by a constitutive promoter and, as subsequent step, under a fungal-inducible promoter. The association of two genes will also be considered for assessing a “gene pyramiding strategy”. The poster presents the partnership in EURICE, the Objectives and the Workplan of the project.