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ScabEomics: Effector-based breeding for resistance to Spongospora subterranea (powdery scab) in potato
Leyva Perez, Maria de la O Lee, Theo A.J. van der Griffin, Denis Gent-Pelzer, Marga P.E. van Mehenni-Ciz, Jeanne Milbourne, Dan Merz, Ueli Tsror, Leah Vossen, Jack H.
Leyva Perez, Maria de la O
Lee, Theo A.J. van der
Griffin, Denis
Gent-Pelzer, Marga P.E. van
Mehenni-Ciz, Jeanne
Milbourne, Dan
Merz, Ueli
Tsror, Leah
Vossen, Jack H.
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Abstract
Powdery scab caused by Spongospora subterranea sp. subterranea (Sss) can cause significant yield
losses in potato. Lesions on potato skin affect marketability and provide entry points for other
pathogens. Moreover, Sss can spread Potato MopTop Virus (PMTV). Efforts to breed for Sss-resistant
varieties are impaired by troublesome phenotyping methods.
Plants possessing a specific resistance (R) gene are resistant towards a pathogen that produces the
corresponding avirulence (Avr) gene product, also known as effector. Highly expressed effectors that do
not trigger hypersensitive response (HR) in susceptible plants, are considered candidate AVRs. Effectors
triggering HR are most prominent among the diverse part of the secretome (Van de Vossenberg et al.,
2019). Therefore, candidate AVRs can be identified using comparative genomics, and transcriptomics of
the secretome.
In order to identify genetic diversity and potential Avr genes, we sequenced the genomes of over 20
different Sss isolates from 15 different countries in 5 continents. We mined the secretomes and selected
candidate Avrs based on their diversity across different isolates and expression analysis with RNAseq
data. These candidate Avr genes will be used to screen a germplasm collection and accessions in which
hypersensitive responses are triggered will be selected. The plant components involved in the HR will be
genetically identified, and may provide novel R gene sources which can be easily selected in breeding
programs.