Genetic engineering of plant root disease resistance by modification of the phenylpropanoid pathway

Abstract

Improved soybean (or other legume) resistance to diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens may be achieved via the genetic modification of the root phenylpropanoid pathway targeted at cell wall reinforcement and increased production of phytoalexins. The use of hairy root cultures can be a model for testing results of metabolic engineering.

Keywords:

• Disease
• genetic engineering
• legumes
• resistance
• roots

Acknowledgements

This study was in part supported by funds from the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, the North Central Soybean Research Program, the Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center and the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. FSG culture filtrate was provided by Dr G. Hartman and Dr S. Li.