CRISPR Enhances Resistance of Tomato Against Bacterial Wilt Disease

A study published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal shows that reduced content of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhances resistance to bacterial wilt disease in tomatoes. This approach reveals a new strategy to enhance plant resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum.

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is responsible for destructive diseases in a wide range of crops, leading to significant agricultural and economic losses. Among the major crops affected by Ralstonia are tomatoes. In this study, the researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing to mutate SlGAD2, a gene that encodes the major glutamate decarboxylase responsible for GABA production in tomatoes.

The study found that SlGAD2 mutant tomato plants, with reduced GABA levels, demonstrated increased resistance to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia. These mutant plants also showed no significant changes in their response to other biotic and abiotic stresses, such as drought and heat. The researchers said that this approach, in combination with other strategies, could be efficient in offering a sustainable solution to Ralstonia.

For more information, read the article from Plant Biotechnology Journal.