CRISPR Boosts Potato Resistance to Late Blight Disease

Scientists at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) and partners have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to improve the resistance of potato plants against late blight disease. The study focused on modifying a susceptibility gene, StDND2, as an alternative strategy to strengthen crop resilience and reduce reliance on fungicides in potato production.

The researchers introduced a targeted genetic change in the StDND2 gene using CRISPR-Cas9 and evaluated the edited plants under controlled conditions. The modified plants were produced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and confirmed using molecular screening. Disease resistance was then assessed through leaf infection assays, where pathogen growth and lesion size were measured after inoculation.

The study found that CRISPR-edited potatoes had about 74% lower disease severity without noticeable growth defects under the tested growth conditions. The researchers concluded that targeting susceptibility genes like StDND2 offers a promising approach to improving late blight resistance, though further testing in later plant generations and field trials is needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.

For more information, read the research article on Frontiers in Plant Science.