Main subject area: Plant biotechnology, plant pathology
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) the pathogen responsible for the Great Irish Famine is still one of the biggest problems in modern potato production leading to the use of large quantities of pesticides. Solanum bulbocastanum, is a wild cousin of the potato and is particularly resistant to late blight as well as other pests and diseases. Therefore, we have selected this species for de novo domestication to make a new more resilient and climate friendly crop, the chestnut potato. However, last blight resistance varies between different accessions of S. bulbocastanum and Phytophthora strains. Therefore, we aim to test a panel of accessions together with a number of relevant Phytophthora strains to find the most resistant genotype for de novo domestication.
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AU Flakkebjerg, 4200 Slagelse
30 ECTS: Theoretical thesis based on literature studies and/or analysis of issued and edited data sets.
45 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for collection and analysis of his/her own original data
60 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for planning, trial design and collection and analysis of his/her own original data
How CRISPR could yield the next blockbuster crop (nature.com)
