PLANTS WITH REDUCED EXPRESSION OF PHOSPHATASE TYPE 2C GENE FOR ENHANCED PATHOGEN RESISTANCE

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for down regulating an Arabidopsis protein phosphatase type 2C gene, referred to as "defense-associated protein phosphatase type 2C one" (DAPP1) that functions as a negative regulator of a plant defense pathway. The method includes contacting the DAPP]gene or gene mRNA with an interfering nucleotide sequence that interacts with the gene and reducing expression thereof. Plants including such interfering nucleotide sequence exhibit increased disease resistance to pathogens even in the absence of R genes. Close homologs of DAPPI exist in multiple crop species, and as such, the controlled down-regulation of homologous genes in a variety of crop species will enhance disease resistance of target crop species to pathogens.