Fry lab: biology and management of Phytophthora infestans

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Current projects:

Role of host resistance in late blight management

We’ve investigated many aspects of host resistance in late blight management. An early emphasis was on using resistant hosts to reduce the need for fungicides in practical late blight management. We have also worked cooperatively with the Cornell potato breeding program to assess resistance in the breeding populations. In addition we’ve searched for new sources of resistance in both potatoes and tomatoes. This has resulted in identification of QTLs (quantitative trait loci) and R genes for resistance in both potatoes and tomatoes. Because R genes are notoriously ephemeral in their effectiveness (because they select rapidly for resistance-breaking individuals in the pathogen population), we’ve focused our recent efforts on QTLs. We’ve investigated the genes potentially involved in the resistance conferred by a QTL from S. pennellii via gene profiling studies. We are currently analyzing the role of these genes by silencing them via VIGS (Virus Induced Gene Silencing). Additionally, we’ve investigated the potential role for late blight suppression of Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) in members of the Solanaceae. SAR is very effective in petunias, marginally effective in tomatoes, and not at all effective in potatoes. Using gene profiling experiments, Paola Zuluaga has identified several candidate genes in tomato that are differentially induced in SAR.

Selected Recent publications:

Becktell, M. C., Smart, C. D., Haney, C. H. and Fry, W. E. (2006). Host-pathogen interactions between Phytophthora infestans and the solanaceous hosts Calibrachoa x hybridus, Petunia x hybrida and Nicotiana benthamiana. Plant Disease 90: 24-32.

Ewing, E. E., Simko, I., Smart, C. D., Bonierbale, M. W., G., E. S., Mizubuti, E. S. G., May, G. D. and Fry, W. E. (2000). Genetic mapping from field tests of qualitative and quantitative resistance to Phytophthora infestans in a population derived from Solanum tuberosum and Solanum berthaultii. Molecular Breeding 6: 25-36.

Grunwald, N. J., M. A. Cadena-Hinojosa, O. Rubio-Covarrubias, A. Rivera-Pena, J. S. Niederhauser and W. E. Fry (2002). "Potato cultivars from the Mexican national potato program: Sources and durability of resistance against late blight." Phytopathology 92: (688-693)

Rauscher, G., Smart, C. D., Simko, I., Bonierbale, M., Mayton, H., Greenland, A. and Fry, W. E. (2006). Characterization and mapping of R-Pi-ber, a novel potato late blight resistance gene from Solanum berthaultii. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 112: 674-687.

Smart, C. D., K. L. Myers, S. Restrepo, G. B. Martin and W. E. Fry (2003). "Partial resistance of tomato to Phytophthora infestans is not dependent upon ethylene, jasmonic acid or salicyclic acid signalling pathways." Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions: 16: 141-148.

Smart, C. D., Tanksley, S. D., Mayton, H. and Fry, W. E. (2007). Resistance to Phytophthora infestans in Lycopersicon pennellii. Plant Disease 91(8): 1045-1049.