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Targeting point mutation(s) in stone fruit susceptibility genes

WP1 has the twofold objective of creating heritable mutation(s) leading to non-functional (KO) susceptibility genes as well as of targeting specific site mutations by gene editing.

Candidates for breeding resistance to sharka in fruit tree species are genes encoding proteins with a role in the viral cycle and whose modification is associated with a loss-of-susceptibility phenotype. Indeed, since most of the fruit tree cultivars are susceptible to PPV, we postulate that susceptibility alleles of plant-virus interactors are predominant in the current breeding germplasm. We will thus create and screen for mutation in host factors indispensable for the virus in order to test and implement new resistance mechanisms. Altogether, this research activity will provide plant material for combination with early flowering strategies in WP2 and for survey of PPV resistant material in WP3.