Phytophthora Resistant Plants Belonging to the Solanaceae Family

Abstract

Provided herein is a plant belonging to the Solanaceae family wherein said plant includes a genetic trait providing Phytophthora resistance and wherein said resistance trait is encoded by a combination of at least two genes having a reduced expression, or transcription, of said genes or a reduced activity of proteins encoded by said genes as compared to said plant belonging to Solanaceae family being susceptible to Phytophthora.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An isolated potato plant which is resistant to  Phytophthora infestans  comprising a non-natural modification introduced into its genome that results in:
 reduced expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or   reduced activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2,   as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.      
     
     
         13 . The potato plant as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the modification is gene silencing. 
     
     
         14 . The potato plant as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein genes having the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8 are silenced. 
     
     
         15 . The potato plant as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the modification results in reduced activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.    
     
     
         16 . The potato plant as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the modification results in reduced activity of proteins having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.    
     
     
         17 . A seed, tissue, or plant part of the potato plant according to  claim 12 , wherein the seed, tissue, or plant part comprises the modification that results in:
 reduced expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or   reduced activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2,   as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.      
     
     
         18 . A method for obtaining a potato plant which is resistant to  Phytophthora infestans , the method comprising modifying the potato plant by:
 reducing expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or   reducing activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2,   as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.      
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the modification comprises reducing expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans , and wherein the modification is effected through gene silencing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein genes having the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8 are silenced. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the modification comprises reducing activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.    
     
     
         22 . A potato plant produced from the method according to  claim 18 , wherein the plant has:
 reduced expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or   reduced activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2,   as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.      
     
     
         23 . A seed, tissue, or plant part of the potato plant according to  claim 22 , wherein the seed, tissue, or plant part has:
 reduced expression or transcription of genes encoding proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or   reduced activity of proteins having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2,   as compared to a potato plant that is not resistant to  Phytophthora infestans.