INCREASING PLANT RESISTANCE TO PATHOGENS BY SILENCING THE IMPORTANT ENDOGENOUS FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES GENE LAE-1 IN COTTON

Fusarium wilt of cotton (Gossypium spp.) is caused by the soil fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp vasinfectum (FOV). This disease leads to significant losses of cotton crops in cotton-growing countries around the world. Currently, there are two methods of combating wilting disease – chemical and biological. However, due to the economic and environmental disadvantages of chemical control of wilting, cotton-growing countries are less likely to use this method. Therefore, the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods of pathogen control is relevant. Currently, the use of modern genomic technologies in the combat against pathogenic organisms is of great importance for breeders. In this study, we tried to disable the LAE1 gene, which is important for the vital activity of fungi. Using HIGS technology, it was possible to partially suppress the activity of the LAE1 gene in cotton. The obtained transgenic lines were infected with the FOV pathogen under phytotron conditions in a threefold repeat. It was found that the incidence of transgenic plants was significantly lower than in control plants, and the onset of disease symptoms was delayed. The results obtained will serve as an important source in the creation of resistant and high-yielding cotton varieties against the FOV pathogen in our country in the future.