Indian Scientists Engineer Fungal-Resistant Pineapple with Native Gene Boost

In a significant leap for sustainable agriculture and fruit crop protection, Indian researchers have successfully engineered a genetically enhanced variety of pineapple that shows remarkable resistance to one of the fruit's deadliest enemies: Fusariosis. The breakthrough, led by scientists from Kolkata’s Bose Institute—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—involves the overexpression of a native gene known as AcSERK3, which activates powerful plant defense mechanisms.

This marks the first successful instance of using a pineapple’s own genetic machinery to bolster disease resistance, ushering in a new era of homegrown, bio-secure crop improvement.

Pineapple: A Tropical Treasure Under Threat

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) is the most commercially valuable fruit in the Bromeliaceae family. Praised for its delicious, juicy sweetness and dense nutrient profile—including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—pineapple is integral to diets and farming economies across tropical and subtropical regions.

However, pineapple cultivation faces a serious threat in the form of Fusariosis, a disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium moniliforme. The infection manifests as stem distortion, leaf blackening, and internal fruit rot—ultimately resulting in crop failure and significant economic losses for farmers.

Conventional breeding methods have largely been ineffective at developing Fusarium-resistant pineapple strains, particularly due to the genetic complexity of the fruit and the rapid evolution of fungal pathogens.

Unlocking the Power of AcSERK3

The recent study, published in the In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plants journal, focuses on a gene called Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase 3 (AcSERK3). This gene plays a key role in regulating plant embryogenesis and responding to environmental stresses.

Under the leadership of Prof. Gaurab Gangopadhyay and his Ph.D. student Dr. Soumili Pal, the team at Bose Institute identified and cloned the AcSERK3 gene. They then used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to integrate and overexpress this gene in pineapple explants. The result was a new line of genetically modified pineapple plants with enhanced disease-fighting capabilities.

Transformation Workflow:

• (a) Agrobacterium infiltration into pineapple explants carrying the AcSERK3 construct.

• (b) Selection of putative transformants using molecular screening.

• (c) Validation and regeneration of healthy, transformed plantlets.

These genetically enhanced pineapples, when exposed to Fusarium fungus, showed far superior resistance compared to unmodified, wild-type counterparts.

How It Works: Defense from Within

The overexpression of AcSERK3 activated several key defense pathways in the pineapple plants:

• Increased levels of stress-associated metabolites

• Higher activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes, which detoxify harmful molecules produced during fungal attacks

• Improved cellular signaling, strengthening the plant’s immune-like responses

This multi-layered defense mechanism meant that while regular plants wilted and rotted under fungal pressure, the transgenic plants remained upright, green, and disease-free—even in laboratory conditions designed to mimic severe infection scenarios.

A First in Pineapple Biotechnology

This is the first-ever documented instance of the overexpression of a native pineapple gene to enhance both somatic embryogenesis and fungal disease tolerance. Because the gene originates from the plant itself, there is minimal risk of rejection or instability in subsequent generations. This reduces the chance of gene loss through breeding and opens the door to long-term field application.

If successful in extensive field trials, this innovation could revolutionize pineapple farming. Growers would be able to propagate new plants through traditional methods—using slips and suckers—while retaining the genetic resistance to Fusarium and possibly other fungal pathogens.

Implications for Farmers and Future Research

The development of a multi-fungal tolerant pineapple variety could significantly reduce farmers' dependence on chemical fungicides, lowering input costs and environmental harm. It also ensures greater crop security, more reliable harvests, and improved incomes for small and medium-scale growers.

Furthermore, the methodology and findings could be applied to other crops vulnerable to fungal diseases, offering a blueprint for plant scientists and agritech innovators globally.

What’s Next?

Long-term multi-location field trials will be crucial to validate the resilience and productivity of AcSERK3-overexpressing pineapples under diverse agricultural conditions. If proven successful, the variety may be officially released for commercial cultivation, delivering a new generation of robust, sustainable pineapples to farmers and consumers alike.

This research stands as a testament to India's growing leadership in agricultural biotechnology and underscores the importance of leveraging indigenous genetic resources for crop improvement.