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Engineering hypervirulence in a mycoherbicidal fungus for efficient weed control
Ziva Amsellem1, Barry A Cohen, Jonathan Gressel
1Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 76100.
Nature Biotechnology
|October 2, 2002
Summary
Genetically modifying biocontrol agents enhances weed control effectiveness. Introducing a phytotoxic protein gene into a fungus significantly increased its virulence against the invasive weed Abutilon theophrasti.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Pathology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Biocontrol agents for row-crop agriculture often fail due to evolved resistance.
- High levels of mycoherbicides do not overcome the evolutionary balance between fungi and weeds.
- Genetic modification offers a strategy to enhance biocontrol efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase the virulence of a mycoherbicide against the weed Abutilon theophrasti.
- To overcome the limitations of natural evolutionary balances in biocontrol.
- To develop a more effective biocontrol agent for invasive weeds.
Main Methods:
- Introducing the NEP1 gene, encoding a phytotoxic protein, into Colletotrichum coccodes.
- Testing the virulence of the transgenic strain on Abutilon theophrasti at different growth stages.
- Comparing the efficacy of the transgenic strain with the parent strain.
Main Results:
- The transgenic strain showed a ninefold increase in virulence and faster action.
- The requirement for prolonged high humidity was reduced.
- The transgenic strain was lethal to Abutilon theophrasti through the three-leaf stage, enabling control of asynchronous germination.
Conclusions:
- Genetic engineering, specifically introducing virulence genes like NEP1, can overcome weed resistance to biocontrol agents.
- Transgenic biocontrol agents offer a promising strategy for managing difficult-to-control weeds in agriculture.
- Future strategies should incorporate fail-safe mechanisms to manage potential risks associated with genetically modified organisms.