Co-Authors:
Surov, T., Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
Aviv, D., Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
Aly, R., Department of Weed Research, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
Joel, D.M., Department of Weed Research, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
Goldman-Guez, T., Department of Weed Research, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
Gressel, J., Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
Abstract:
Root-attaching parasitic flowering broom-rapes (Orobanche spp.) are major constraints to vegetable, legume and sunflower production around the Mediterranean and elsewhere, with banned methylbromide fumigation or land abandonment of these affected crops as the major 'solutions' to the problem. We report the specific generation of transgenic asulam-resistant potatoes as a way to eradicate this pest. The target-site resistance in the crop allows the herbicide to be translocated from treated leaves to the parasite via crop roots. This inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthase lethally then prevents folic acid biosynthesis in the parasite. Additionally, we demonstrate that asulam can be used directly in selecting resistant transformants, without the need for another selectable marker.