Novel phytophthora resistant catharanthus roseus plant

Abstract

The present invention relates to plants of the genus Catharanthus containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to Phytophthora . In particular, the present invention relates to a Catharanthus roseus plant containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to P. nicotianae.

1 . A  Catharanthus  plant, or a progeny thereof, containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to  Phytophthora , obtainable by crossing a first  Catharanthus  plant containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to  Phytophthora  with a second  Catharanthus  plant, wherein said first  Catharanthus  plant is deposited under NCIMB Accession No. 42348. 
     
     
         2 . A  Catharanthus  plant according to  claim 1  that is resistant to  Phytophthora nicotianae  to statistically the same extent as FD0922, a representative sample of seed which is deposited at NCIMB under Accession No. NCIMB 42348, when assessed using the same assay, particularly an assay as described in Example 2, and under identical environmental conditions, particularly under the same  Phytophthora nicotianae  pressure. 
     
     
         3 . A  Catharanthus  plant according to  claim 2  that is resistant to  Phytophthora nicotianae , wherein said resistance can be assessed in a standard resistance assay, particularly an assay as described in Example 2, and wherein a resistance score of 1 or less is obtained, particularly a resistance score of 0 is obtained and wherein a score of 2 or more is obtained with a standard susceptible commercial variety, such as, for example, Sunstorm Deep Pink, when assessed in the same assay to a statistically significant extent and under identical environmental conditions, particularly under the same  Phytophthora nicotianae  pressure. 
     
     
         4 . A  Catharanthus  seed containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to  Phytophthora , wherein said seed has a pedigree which includes the plant FD0922, and wherein representative seed of said plant FD0922 has been deposited under NCIMB Accession No. 42348. 
     
     
         5 . A  Catharanthus  plant produced by growing the seed of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . A method for producing F 1  hybrid  Catharanthus  seed comprising crossing a first parent  Catharanthus  plant with a second parent  Catharanthus  plant and harvesting the resultant F 1  hybrid  Catharanthus  seed, wherein said first or second parent  Catharanthus  plant is the  Catharanthus  plant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A F 1  hybrid seed produced by the method of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . A hybrid plant or its parts produced by growing the hybrid seed of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         9 . Seed containing a broad spectrum genetic resistance to  Phytophthora  produced from the hybrid plant of  claim 8 .