ARS | Publication request: Genetic Engineering for Disease Resistance in Ornamental Plants

Submitted to: Plant Germplasm Conservation
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 10, 2007
Publication Date: November 12, 2007
Citation: Kamo, K.K. and Cantor, M. 2007. Genetic engineering for disease resistance in ornamental plants. Plant Germplasm Conservation. 36-29.

Technical Abstract: This symposium is intended to facilitate communication between researchers in Hungary, Romania, and other countries who are interested in micropropagation of ornamental plants. Some of the work that has been done in the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit that involves micropropagation is described. The goal of the research described is to use genetic engineering for developing ornamental plants that are resistant to disease. Current work is virus resistance in flower bulb crops. Disease free plants are established and multiplied in tissue culture as a source of experimental plant material. Genetic engineering for virus resistance requires the use of plants that are initially free from virus. Embryogenic callus is induced from micropropagated plants, and the gene gun is used to introduce virus resistance genes into the callus. Plants regenerated from the callus contain the introduced virus resistance genes. The plants are challenged with virus to determine if they have become resistant to virus.