February 7, 2012

US scientists detect vital corn gene

USDA scientists and their university colleagues have found a specific gene in corn that appears to be resistant to three major leaf diseases, which could potentially aid plant breeders build disease-resistance traits into future corn plants.

Three diseases-southern corn leaf blight, northern leaf blight, and gray leaf spot-all cause lesions on corn leaves worldwide. In the US Midwest Corn Belt, northern leaf blight and gray leaf spot are significant problems. It is noted that no corn variety has complete resistance to any of these diseases, but varieties differ in the severity of symptoms they exhibit.

This gene, a GST (glutathione S-transferase), is part of a family of genes known for their roles in regulating oxidative stress and in detoxification. Both of these functions are consistent with a role in disease resistance.