Phytophthora Resistance Through Production of a Fungal Protein Elicitor (β-Cryptogein) in Tobacco

Abstract

Transformation of tobacco with a gene encoding the fungal elicitor protein, β-cryptogein, resulted in resistance to the pathogen Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae. Resistance was improved when the foreign gene was in the hemizygous state, and a single amino acid substitution that reduced the necrotic effects of the protein also conferred some resistance.