Project Number: 1931-21000-017-16
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 01, 2008
End Date: Mar 31, 2013

Objective:
1) Develop field tests at cooperating institutions of 'HoneySweet' and other Plum pox virus (PPV) resistant clones that USDA-ARS has developed. These will be compared with local PPV susceptible and tolerant, or resistant varieties for PPV resistance, fruit quality, yield, and other important agronomic traits. 2) Design new constructs that do not rely on the use of the GUS marker gene or the kanamycin antibiotic resistance (NPTII) selectable marker gene. 3) Transfer the technology for plum transformation to cooperating institutions in order that they can develop PPV resistance using germplasm of local varieties.

Approach:
This activity will support efforts in setting up field tests in cooperating countries, collection of data from these tests, the development of a consensus document pertaining to the control of PPV through genetically engineered plums, and scientific interchanges between U.S. and European partners. In this way, the parties can develop data that is useful for both U.S. and European deregulation packages, and maintain the high level of interest and the collaborations that otherwise could falter in a non-supportive European environment.