Comparative Phenotypic and Agronomic Assessment of Transgenic Potato with 3R-Gene Stack with Complete Resistance to Late Blight Disease
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Biology
Abstract
Transgenic potato event Vic.172, expressing three naturally occurring resistance genes (R
genes) conferring complete protection against late blight disease, was evaluated for resistance to
late blight, phenotypic characterization, and agronomic performance in field conditions at three
locations during three seasons in Uganda. These trials were conducted by comparison to the variety
Victoria from which Vic.172 derives, using identical fungicide treatment, except when evaluating
disease resistance. During all seasons, the transgenic event Vic.172 was confirmed to have complete
resistance to late blight disease, whereas Victoria plants were completely dead by 60–80 days after
planting. Tubers from Vic.172 were completely resistant to LB after artificial inoculation. The phenotypic
characterization included observations of the characteristics and development of the stems,
leaves, flowers, and tubers. Differences in phenotypic parameters between Vic.172 and Victoria
were not statistically significant across locations and seasons. The agronomic performance observations
covered sprouting, emergence, vigor, foliage growth, and yield. Differences in agronomic
performance were not statistically significant except for marketable yield in one location under high
productivity conditions. However, yield variation across locations and seasons was not statistically
significant, but was influenced by the environment. Hence, the results of the comparative assessment
of the phenotype and agronomic performance revealed that transgenic event Vic.172 did not present
biologically significant differences in comparison to the variety Victoria it derives from.
Description
Keywords
Genetic engineering, Potato, Late blight disease, Regulatory trials, Yield, Agronomic performance
Citation
Byarugaba, A.A.; Baguma, G.; Jjemba, D.M.; Faith, A.K.; Wasukira, A.; Magembe, E.; Njoroge, A.; Barekye, A.; Ghislain, M. Comparative Phenotypic and Agronomic Assessment of Transgenic Potato with 3R-Gene Stack with Complete Resistance to Late Blight Disease. Biology 2021, 10, 952. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology 10100952