Modern Biotechnology as an Integral Supplement to Conventional Plant Breeding: The Prospects and Challenges. (6500)
Authors:
P.P. Jauhar* - USDA-ARS, Northern Crop Science Lab
Abstract:
The art of plant breeding was developed long before the laws of genetics became known. The advent of the principles of genetics and cytogenetics at the turn of the last century catalyzed the growth of plant breeding, making it a science-based technology that has been instrumental in bringing about substantial genetic improvements in crop plants. The process of plant improvement has been further accelerated by biotechnological tools of gene transfer, which help engineer new traits into plants that are otherwise very difficult to introduce and evaluate by traditional breeding. Most major crops are being genetically transformed by direct DNA delivery via microprojectile bombardment or other means. Using
microprojection, we produced the first transgenic durum wheat in my laboratory. Having standardized the transgenic technology for durum wheat, we are incorporating antifungal genes into durum cultivars to test for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance. The results will provide new information to plant scientists on the role of these antifungal genes in FHB resistance. How these in vitro approaches to gene transfer can effectively supplement the conventional breeding programs will be discussed.
Speaker Information: Prem Jauhar, USDA-ARS, Northern Crop Science Lab, 1307 18th Street North, Fargo, ND 58105; Phone: 701 239 1309; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 1, 2004, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM Presentation Start: 8:05 AM
Keywords: Alien gene transfer; Chromosome pairing; Transgenic technology; Wide hybridization