Submitted to: American Phytopathology Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 9, 2003
Publication Date: August 9, 2003
Citation: Polashock, J.J. 2003. Identification of candidate resistance genes from highbush blueberry using degenerate primers. American Phytopathology Society. 93(6):S72. Technical Abstract: The use of degenerate primers designed to amplify resistance gene analogs has been successful in many crops. The primers are usually based on published resistance gene sequences and, in particular, conserved regions such as the nucleotide binding site (NBS). In some cases, the amplified fragments have been mapped to clusters of known resistance genes. Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars, while not having absolute resistance to many important fungal diseases such as anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) and mummy berry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi), do have varying degrees of field resistance. Amongst the more generally resistant cultivars are Elliott and Brigitta Blue. To begin a program aimed at increasing disease resistance, these two cultivars were surveyed for NBS-containing gene fragments. Several potential resistance gene analogs were identified and may have potential for both breeding through marker-assisted-selection and direct manipulation through biotechnology.