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Development of transgenic sorghum for insect resistance against the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus)

  • Genetic Transformation and Hybridization
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Abstract

Transgenic sorghum plants expressing a synthetic cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) under the control of a wound-inducible promoter from the maize protease inhibitor gene (mpiC1) were produced via particle bombardment of shoot apices. Plants were regenerated from the transformed shoot apices via direct somatic embryogenesis with an intermittent three-step selection strategy using the herbicide Basta. Molecular characterisation based on polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis revealed multiple insertions of the cry1Ac gene in five plants from three independent transformation events. Inheritance and expression of the Bt gene was confirmed in T1 plants. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay indicated that Cry1Ac protein accumulated at levels of 1–8 ng per gram of fresh tissue in leaves that were mechanically wounded. Transgenic sorghum plants were evaluated for resistance against the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) in insect bioassays, which indicated partial resistance to damage by the neonate larvae of the spotted stem borer. Reduction in leaf damage 5 days after infestation was up to 60%; larval mortality was 40%, with the surviving larvae showing a 36% reduction in weight over those fed on control plants. Despite the low levels of expression of Bt δ-endotoxin under the control of the wound-inducible promoter, the transgenic plants showed partial tolerance against first instar larvae of the spotted stem borer.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by AGROPOLIS Advanced Research platform, France, for which the authors are thankful. V. Girijashankar is grateful to University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India for providing a research fellowship

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetic Transformation Laboratory, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, 502324, India

    V. Girijashankar, H. C. Sharma, Kiran K. Sharma, L. Sivarama Prasad, B. V. Bhat & N. Seetharama

  2. Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, India

    V. Girijashankar, V. Swathisree & M. Lakshmi Narasu

  3. UMR 385 CIRAD/ENSAM/INRA Biologie et Génétique des Interactions Plante-Parasite, Campus international de Baillarguet, TA 41K, 34398, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France

    Monique Royer

  4. Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 0834, Barcelona, Spain

    Blanca San Secundo

  5. Roger-Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada

    I. Altosaar

Authors
  1. V. Girijashankar
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  2. H. C. Sharma
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  3. Kiran K. Sharma
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  4. V. Swathisree
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  5. L. Sivarama Prasad
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  6. B. V. Bhat
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  7. Monique Royer
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  8. Blanca San Secundo
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  9. M. Lakshmi Narasu
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  10. I. Altosaar
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  11. N. Seetharama
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Seetharama.

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Communicated by P.P. Kumar

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Girijashankar, V., Sharma, H.C., Sharma, K.K. et al. Development of transgenic sorghum for insect resistance against the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus). Plant Cell Rep 24, 513–522 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-005-0947-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-005-0947-7

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