Biochemical Markers involved in the Horizontal Resistance to Phytophthora infestans in Potatoes

WOLSKI E. A.; KORGAN S.; CAPEZIO S.; HUARTE M. A.; ANDREU A. B

Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal Science and Biotechnology . Special issue: Potato biotechnology (2).

Global Science Books

Lugar: United Kingdom; Año: 2009; p. 1 - 6

Potato Late Blight is the main pathogen which affects potatoes. Due to unavailability of effective chemical control methods and the intensive use of fungicides, the introduction of resistant cultivars represents a safe strategy. The sources of horizontal resistance to Late Blight in the Argentinean Potato Breeding Programs have been varied. One of the interesting species to evaluate is Solanum tarijense since its adaptation to long days is promissory, producing tubers of good size and aspect. In this study, the enzymatic activity of different PR proteins in the specie S. tarijense was measured. These clones were more resistant to Late Blight than ‘Bintje’ and ‘Pampeana INTA’ cultivars. The activity of glucanases, chitinases, peroxidases and poliphenoloxidases were 15, 1.5, 2 and 3 times higher respectively, in S. tarijense than in ‘Bintje’ and ‘Pampeana INTA’. These results suggest that some PR proteins can be used as biochemical markers to assist breeders in the selection of horizontal resistant cultivars.