Investigation of resistance mechanism to powdery mildew disease in cucumber plants

Podosphaera xanthii associated with the powdery mildew disease of cucumber, causes significant yield losses besides quality deterioration in cucumber. The development of powdery mildew resistant or tolerant varieties is the most effective and eco-friendly method of powdery mildew management. Aim of the project determination of the mechanisms of disease resistance against powdery mildew diseases contributes for the development of resistant varieties. In order to determine the powdery mildew resistance mechanisms, nucleic acids, DNAs and RNAs, were isolated from the powdery mildew resistant Meltem, tolerant VT18 and susceptible local variety Camlica. The different reactions by these plants to powdery mildews were analysed by PCR and RT-PCR. As a result of this study, different genes in cucumber observed to be act as positive and negative regulators in defense mechanisms, and have different responses to powdery mildew. Various MLO genes MLO1, MLO8, and MLO11, determined to increase the powdery mildew susceptibility in cucumbers plants, were mutagenized by CRISPR/Cas9 method to obtain MLO-mutant cucumber plants. The plants would be used as a resistance source in cucumber for future studies on defense mechanisms against powdery mildew.