Global: Promising development for late blight resistance

Six varieties of the late blight resistant (LBR) potato have been developed with the insertion of a three-gene stack of resistance genes taken from wild potato species. “There are hundreds of resistance genes in wild potato,” said Dave Douches, project director and head of the potato breeding and genetics program at Michigan State University (MSU). “Our project works with two different 3R-gene stacks, and we are confident both will provide durable resistance to potato’s biggest threat: late blight.” Worldwide, annual potato crop losses of between 15% and 30% are attributed to late blight disease, resulting in a $6.7 billion global cost, according to MSU. In developing countries, including those in Southeast Asia and Africa, potato production and storage length are limited by late blight effects. Research indicates that the 3R-gene LBR potato will stabilize crop yields and cut reliance on fungicides by up to 90%, greatly reducing human and environmental health risks while providing ...