This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New technology from Texas A&M AgriLife Research could be a major step toward bringing disease-resistant peppers and tomatoes to growers' fields and lowering costs at grocery stores. A research team led by Jeanmarie Verchot, Ph.D., a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, developed the nation's first infectious clone of the tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV, paving the way for plant scientists to more efficiently research disease-resistant genetics in tomatoes, peppers and other susceptible crops.
In the paper, "A Novel Approach to Engineering Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Infectious Clones by Disarming Key Nodes in Anti-Viral Defenses," published in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, the researchers revealed the discovery that U.S. scientists have sought for decades. With this development, Verchot and her team can now produce an unlimited amount of virus, more efficiently inoculate trial plants and help pepper breeders move much faster in identifying superior, virus-resistant genetics. "Crop producers are very familiar with this virus, and we are excited that this discovery opens the door for impactful solutions to a major production challenge for them," Verchot said.
"By making technology tools that breeders can use to speed new variety development, we hope to see a simple ripple effect where peppers, tomatoes and other produce are more abundant and cost less in grocery stores nationally." Globally detrimental to crops, TSWV is transmitted by insects called thrips, which spread across fields and migrate into growing areas by floating in regional wind systems. Verchot said the virus negatively impacts more than 1,000 produce and ornamental plant varieties. Infected plants have reduced yields, and damage can make crops unmarketable and decrease grower income.
Limited produce and higher input costs ultimately mean higher prices for the end consumer. Department of Agriculture Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program estimates TSWV causes $100 million in crop damage each year in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina alone. Until recently, growers have depended on varieties that are resistant to TSWV infection, but new strains are emerging that escape host immunity and are causing widespread disease.
New efforts have focused on sequencing the virus genomes of these emerging strains to understand how they are becoming more severe. Verchot and her team have taken a different research approach to construct a DNA, or cDNA, copy of the full genome of a pepper-infecting TSWV isolate. This full-length DNA clone produces an infectious virus that behaves like the original virus.
Having a readily available U.S. clone is critical for efforts to dissect the causes of disease severity and insect transmission. The clone is also a tool that breeders can use to develop new resistant varieties. "Through our research, we can now produce an unlimited amount of virus, more efficiently inoculate trial plants and help pepper breeders move much faster in identifying superior, virus-resistant genetics," Verchot said.
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