From Mutation screening to Mildew resistance in vegetable crops

Among the most important traits in modern vegetable varieties is their resistance spectrum against many different pathogens and pests. Breakthrough of the current resistances, by adaption of the pathogens, requires vegetable breeding companies to continuously screen for new sources of resistance genes. Research in model or non-vegetable crop species has led to the discovery of potentially durable resistance genes. However, exploitation of this knowledge in vegetable crops is hampered by the lack of the appropriate genetic variation. In collaboration with Keygene, a project was initiated to employ KeyPoint Mutation Breeding to generate novel allelic variation in a number of vegetable crops to create novel and potentially durable (Downey) Mildew resistant cultivars.