Advances in genetic transformation of sugarcane using direct somatic embryogenesis

BUDEGUER, FLORENCIA; RACEDO, J.; ENRIQUE, RAMÓN; SORIA, M.J.; PERERA, M.F.; CUENYA, M.I.; WELIN, B.; NOGUERA, A.; CASTAGNARO, ATILIO

San Miguel de Tucumán

Congreso; XXX International ISSCT Sugarcane Congress 2019; 2019

ISSCT

Over the last decade, efforts todevelop an efficient transformation system for sugarcane have focused on bombardmentof genes into embryogenic callus. However, the time required to regeneratetransgenic plants from callus is typically 24-36 weeks. An alternative thatoffers several advantages, including faster regeneration time, fewersubcultures and lower probability of occurrence of somaclonal variation isDirect Somatic Embryogenesis (DSE). The aim of this work was to improve thetransformation efficiency of commercial EEAOC sugarcane cultivars by DSE.Different types of particles and age of embryos during the bombardment processwere evaluated by using the green fluorescent protein (gfp) marker. Explants of the TUC 95-10 genotype were bombarded with goldor tungsten particles, both coated with pFB1 plasmid, containing the gfp gene under control of CaMV 35S promoter.The highest number of GFP stable expression spots was observed with goldparticles. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in theGFP-spot number between the different explants ages tested (10 and 18 days).However, in order to decrease the total time of the process, the lowest explant age is recommended. Results suggest that the combined use of both gold particles and leaf roll discs of 10days as the explant will improve the efficiency of genetic transformation oflocal sugarcane cultivars.