Abstract: A method of obtaining a plant cell having increased pathogen resistance and/or abiotic stress tolerance is provided, the method comprising the steps of a) providing a plant cell, and b) modifying the genome of the plant cell so as to obtain a decreased or inactivated expression of a protein having an amino acid sequence in which at least one part of the amino acid sequence has at least 78%, such as at least 85%, more preferably at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5, and wherein the protein comprises less than 200 amino acids. A method of obtaining a plant, as well as a plant cell and a plant, are also provided.

Abstract: A sugar beet extract (SBE) induced defense in potato plants under green-house conditions and in field trial, without apparent toxicity for the plant. Treatment with SBE resulted in significant reduction of the size of Phytophthora infestans infection lesions and lower sporangia production. SBE had no apparent toxic effect, neither on the hyphal growth of the pathogennor on the germination of sporangia. SBE triggered PR-1 protein induction which suggests that the defense mechanism conferred by SBE could be via direct induced resistance. An array of phenolic metabolites and minerals was found in the SBE and constitutes potential inducers of the defense.

Abstract: A sugar beet extract (SBE) induced defense in potato plants under green-house conditions and in field trial, without apparent toxicity for the plant. Treatment with SBE resulted in significant reduction of the size of Phytophthora infestans infection lesions and lower sporangia production. SBE had no apparent toxic effect, neither on the hyphal growth of the pathogennor on the germination of sporangia. SBE triggered PR-1 protein induction which suggests that the defense mechanism conferred by SBE could be via direct induced resistance. An array of phenolic metabolites and minerals was found in the SBE and constitutes potential inducers of the defense.

Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic plant having increased expression of a positive regulator protein of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), thereby enhancing the SAR response and pathogen resistance of the plant. The positive regulator protein is a component of a signal transduction pathway leading to (SAR), and is a MAP kinase protein (MPK4) substrate, and interacts with transcription factors.