Wheat Genetic Transformation and Its Breeding Aspects

Abstract

For a breeder to use transgenic technology in practical work, the ability to transfer a foreign gene and its Mendelian inheritance is an important aspect. In particle gun transformation experiments, the bar microorganism-derived foreign gene was stably integrated into the recipient wheat genome. After consequent self-pollination (2–3 times) followed by practical pat assay (spraying with herbicide) stable transformants were obtained. Different sexual transfer experiments of the transformed gene were carried out using different female genetic background. The T₁ generation expressed 3:1 segregation ratio for bar⁺/bar^- plants. In crossing experiments the homogeneous T124 transgenic line was crossed with different non-transgenic females. The isolated hybrid embryos from the crosses were tested on medium containing bialaphos. These tests showed the dominant character of the foreign (bar)gene in the recipient genome. All the hybrid embryos germinated on bialaphos medium expressed resistance, while the control variety showed sensitivity to the bialaphos as expected. The test plant from the embryo culture was further grown under safe greenhouse conditions. It is therefore possible to transfer transgenes successfully via sexual way in different non-transgenic genotypes. The bar gene is one of the most used marker gene in wheat. The in vitro selection for the gene looks important in relation to further practical use. Cell level selection attempts of bar gene were successfully carried out in cell and tissue culture experiments.

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