| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods of producing plants having increased fungal resistance, preferably seedling resistance against Northern blight of corn leaf. The invention further provides methods of introducing, modifying or modulating at least one cell wall-associated kinase (WAK) in a cell, tissue, plant organ or whole plant to thereby cause synthesis. reduced benzoxazinoid and then increased fungal resistance. The invention further provides methods for identifying and / or modifying downstream effector molecules in a WAK signaling cascade. Finally, the invention relates to cells, tissues, plant organs or whole plants having increased fungal resistance and methods of using the substance to activate signaling pathways in a targeted manner. The present invention thus relates to WAKs used as crucial master regulators and signaling mediators in the defense of plants against fungal diseases and the mechanisms of regulation and interference in the WAK signaling cascade, and further provides examples for establishment of new relevant antifungal strategies for a series of crop plants. |