Indian researchers have identified a key gene in pineapple that may offer a strong, local solution against destructive fungal infections. The discovery could lead to the development of pineapple varieties with enhanced resistance to Fusariosis, a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme, which severely damages plants by distorting stems, blackening leaves, and rotting fruit internally, leading to significant crop losses for farmers.
Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.), the most economically important fruit in the Bromeliaceae family, is widely valued for its nutritional benefits and flavour. However, the crop is vulnerable to fungal diseases that have proven difficult to manage through traditional breeding methods.
Scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have identified a gene called AcSERK3, part of the Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase (SERK) family, that plays a key role in both plant reproduction and stress tolerance. By enhancing or "overexpressing" this gene in pineapple plants, researchers found that the modified plants could activate stronger natural defences against fungal infections.
Led by Professor Gaurab Gangopadhyay and PhD researcher Dr. Soumili Pal, the team demonstrated that these genetically modified pineapple lines showed increased resistance to Fusarium infection when compared to unmodified wild varieties. The findings were published in the journal In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology–Plants and mark the first documented case of overexpressing an inherent pineapple gene to achieve fungal disease tolerance.
The study highlights that the AcSERK3-overexpressed pineapple lines exhibited higher levels of stress-associated metabolites and enzymatic activity that helped scavenge harmful agents produced by the fungus. In laboratory conditions, these transgenic plants remained green and upright under fungal stress, whereas regular pineapple plants wilted.
This breakthrough suggests that future pineapple breeding could incorporate the AcSERK3 gene to produce varieties with stable, inheritable resistance to Fusarium and possibly other fungal pathogens. If ongoing long-term field trials prove successful, growers may one day cultivate these multi-fungal-tolerant plants by propagating shoots—known as "slips" and "suckers"—from resistant stock. Such varieties could significantly reduce crop loss and improve the reliability of pineapple harvests.
For more information:
Prof. Gaurab Gangopadhyay
Government of India
Tel: +91 11 26590215
Email: [email protected]
www.dst.gov.in
