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Breeding of pear cultivars with resistance to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) (FeuResBir)
Project
Project code: 2818717X19
Contract period: 01.09.2021
- 31.08.2025
Budget: 250,451 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: plant diseases (virusus, bacteria, fungi, phytoplasma), pome, horticulture, genetic resources, crop protection, plant health, plant breeding, fruit production, plant genetic resources, resistance
In Germany, demand for both conventional and organic pears cannot currently be met from domestic production. Pear sales are dominated by the varieties 'Alexander Lucas', 'Conference' ahead of 'Williams Christ', the 'Schöne aus Charneux' and 'Clapps Liebling'. These cultivars, as well as most other pear cultivars, are highly susceptible to the regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) Erwinia amylovora. Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of fire blight, the most important disease in pear production. Since no suitable control measures are available in pear cultivation, the cultivation of resistant varieties and the close and regular monitoring of pear plants and neighboring host plants are regarded as the best control options. Whereas in apple, intensive work is being done in various breeding programs to investigate resistance mechanisms and basics to fire blight and to breed resistant cultivars, efforts in pear are limited and available data are sparse. The project described here aims to contribute to improved effectiveness in breeding pear cultivars with resistance to fire blight, and to evaluate genetic resources in pear and Pyrus wild species to identify potential sources of resistance and make them available for breeding. The goals are to analyze possible additive effects of resistance QTL as well as to detect and test the efficacy of additional resistance loci, to use them in pear breeding using molecular markers, and to select pear genotypes with good resistance to fire blight. The development of molecular markers for effective resistance loci are the prerequisite for early selection in pear breeding for resistance to fire blight and accelerate the development of new resistant varieties.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Arboriculture
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural Crops (JKI-ZG)
