In a study published recently in the Journal of General Virology, scientists have identified a set of multiple genes in brassicas - broccoli, cabbage, oilseed rape, and the like- that confer resistance to the turnip mosaic virus (TuMV).

"Turnip mosaic virus can cause big economic losses for farmers. We have identified multiple genes that give some varieties of brassica resistance to the virus. By breeding these genes into commercial varieties of the crop, using conventional techniques, breeders can protect them from attack. But most importantly, we have identified broad-spectrum resistance provided by a number of genes. This means we potentially have the means to develop brassicas, such as broccoli, that will be robust enough to prevent the virus mutating to overcome the resistance."

This study could have broader implications for plant breeders and farmers as TuMV is a member of the Potyvirus family,the biggest family of viruses that attack plants, and an important model for understanding other viruses.

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