Novartis Finance Corporation

Terrence Patrick Delaney

Scott Joseph Uknes

John A Ryals

Kay A Lawton

Eric Russell Ward

Henry-York Steiner

Kristianna Baldwin Weymann

Eric R Ward

Leslie B Friedrich

Klaus Maleck

Daniel Murray Ellis

Pieter Vos

Taco Peter Jesse

Methods are provided for selecting parental plants exhibiting disease resistance and for using these plants in breeding programs. In one method of the invention, constitutive immunity (cim) mutants are screened for either resistance to a pathogen of interest or for the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) genes. Such mutants having the desired traits or expressing the desired genes are then used in breeding programs. Parent plants can also be selected based on the constitutive expression of SAR genes. These mutants are phenotypically normal yet exhibit a significant level of disease resistance. Also disclosed are lesion-simulating-disease (lsd) mutants having a lesion mimic phenotype that also express SAR genes and exhibit disease resistance. Further disclosed are non-inducible immunity (nim) mutants that do not express SAR genes, even when induced by a pathogen. Methods of use for these mutants are also disclosed.

Mutant plants and uses therefor

Method for breeding disease resistance into plants

The invention concerns the location and characterization of a gene (designated NIM1) that is a key component of the SAR pathway and that in connection with chemical and biological inducers enables induction of SAR gene expression and broad spectrum disease resistance in plants. The invention further concerns transformation vectors and processes for overexpressing the NIM1 gene in plants. The transgenic plants thus created have broad spectrum disease resistance.

Gene encoding a protein involved in the signal transduction cascade

Methods are provided for selecting parental plants having disease resistance and for using these plants in breeding programs. In one method of the invention, lesion mimic mutants are screened for either resistance to a pathogen of interest or for the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) genes. Such mutants having the desired traits or expressing the desired genes are then used in breeding programs. Parent plants can also be selected based on the constitutive expression of SAR genes. These mutants are phenotypically normal yet exhibit a significant level of disease resistance. Also disclosed are plant mutants that do not express systemic acquired resistance genes even when induced by a pathogen and methods of use for such mutants.

Method for breeding disease resisteance into plants

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Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Terrence Patrick Delaney