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Tripathi JN, Ntui VO, Tripathi L. Precision genetics tools for genetic improvement of banana. THE PLANT GENOME 2024; 17:e20416. [PMID: 38012108 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Banana is an important food security crop for millions of people in the tropics but it faces challenges from diseases and pests. Traditional breeding methods have limitations, prompting the exploration of precision genetic tools like genetic modification and genome editing. Extensive efforts using transgenic approaches have been made to develop improved banana varieties with resistance to banana Xanthomonas wilt, Fusarium wilt, and nematodes. However, these efforts should be extended for other pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses. The commercialization of transgenic crops still faces continuous challenges with regulatory and public acceptance. Genome editing, particularly CRISPR/Cas, offers precise modifications to the banana genome and has been successfully applied in the improvement of banana. Targeting specific genes can contribute to the development of improved banana varieties with enhanced resistance to various biotic and abiotic constraints. This review discusses recent advances in banana improvement achieved through genetic modification and genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leena Tripathi
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya
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Mwaka HS, Bauters L, Namaganda J, Marcou S, Bwesigye PN, Kubiriba J, Smagghe G, Tushemereirwe WK, Gheysen G. Transgenic East African Highland Banana Plants Are Protected against Radopholus similis through Host-Delivered RNAi. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12126. [PMID: 37569502 PMCID: PMC10418933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The burrowing nematode Radopholus similis is considered a major problem of intensive banana cultivation. It can cause extensive root damage resulting in the toppling disease of banana, which means that plants fall to the ground. Soaking R. similis in double-stranded (ds) RNA of the nematode genes Rps13, chitin synthase (Chs-2), Unc-87, Pat-10 or beta-1,4-endoglucanase (Eng1a) suppressed reproduction on carrot discs, from 2.8-fold (Chs-2) to 7-fold (Rps13). The East African Highland Banana cultivar Nakitembe was then transformed with constructs for expression of dsRNA against the same genes, and for each construct, 30 independent transformants were tested with nematode infection. Four months after transfer from in vitro culture to the greenhouse, the banana plants were transferred to a screenhouse and inoculated with 2000 nematodes per plant, and thirteen weeks later, they were analyzed for several parameters including plant growth, root necrosis and final nematode population. Plants with dsRNA constructs against the nematode genes were on average showing lower nematode multiplication and root damage than the nontransformed controls or the banana plants expressing dsRNA against the nonendogenous gene. In conclusion, RNAi seems to efficiently protect banana against damage caused by R. similis, opening perspectives to control this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Shaykins Mwaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (H.S.M.); (L.B.)
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.)
- National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda, Kampala P.O. Box 7065, Uganda; (J.N.); (P.N.B.); (J.K.); (W.K.T.)
| | - Lander Bauters
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (H.S.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Josephine Namaganda
- National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda, Kampala P.O. Box 7065, Uganda; (J.N.); (P.N.B.); (J.K.); (W.K.T.)
| | - Shirley Marcou
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.)
| | - Priver Namanya Bwesigye
- National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda, Kampala P.O. Box 7065, Uganda; (J.N.); (P.N.B.); (J.K.); (W.K.T.)
| | - Jerome Kubiriba
- National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda, Kampala P.O. Box 7065, Uganda; (J.N.); (P.N.B.); (J.K.); (W.K.T.)
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.)
| | | | - Godelieve Gheysen
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (H.S.M.); (L.B.)
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