Genetic defence against tilapia disease

THE discovery of a genetic trait for disease resistance in tilapia presents an opportunity for the industry to reduce infections and the use of antibiotic treatments.

Benchmark announced the discovery of a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to Streptococcus iniae in Nile tilapia.

Streptococcus infections are among the most critical disease challenges in tilapia production.

Benchmark’s genomic analysis from controlled disease resistance trials has shown that a significant proportion of the genetic variation for resistance is caused by a small region of DNA – a Quantitative Trait Locus or QTL. The company has made a patent application in relation to its discovery. The QTL identified will be used to select broodstock with high levels of Streptococcus iniae resistance for the production of commercial fry.

This is the first time that a significant QTL for disease resistance in tilapia has been identified and used for commercial breeding.

It represents an important step forward in the genetic improvement of tilapia and in combating its most pressing disease challenges, said Benchmark.

The company’s CEO, Malcolm Pye, said: ‘In arriving at this breakthrough, our international teams of geneticists have transferred knowledge from our well established breeding programmes in Atlantic salmon, which has shown to be of great benefit to the tilapia industry.’