GENETIC MODIFICATION TO IMPROVE FRUIT QUALITY: BENEFITS FOR THE GROWER, THE CONSUMER AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Genetic modification (GM) of fruit crops at HRI, East Malling has been part of an ongoing program of crop improvement since 1985. Since the fruit crops we deal with are perennial by nature, (primarily apple and strawberry) breeding programs are of necessity long term. GM can, in certain circumstances, shorten these programs by adding just a few desired characters at a time. In recent years we have been able to use gene technology methods to (a) delay the ripening of apples by downregulating ACC synthase and ACC oxidase (b) dwarf apple trees apples by downregulating GA20 oxidase to open the way for the non chemical methods of reducing tree vigor (c) induce Botrytis resistance in strawberries by overexpression of a pear polygalacturonase inhibitor protein (PGIP), and (d) investigate the possibility of using fruit plants to produce edible vaccines for the treatment of tooth decay. This talk will summarize the progress made in these areas and discuss future uses of the technology.

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