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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Crop Improvement and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224840
Title: Wheat: Science and Trade

Author
item Blechl, Ann
item JONES, HUW - ROTHAMSTAD RESEARCH,UK

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2009
Publication Date: 6/1/2009
Citation: Blechl, A.E., Jones, H.D. 2009. "Transgenic Applications in Wheat Improvement" In: Carver, Brett F, editor. Wheat: Science and Trade. Wiley-blackwell, Edison, NJ. p. 397-435.

Interpretive Summary: There hasn’t been a new English language textbook that covers wheat science and utilization since the mid-1980’s. This manuscript comprises one of twenty three chapters in a new textbook entitled “Wheat: Science and Trade”. The book’s content is aimed at upper division undergraduate and graduate students in the agricultural sciences. This chapter covers the methods, applications, and limitations of wheat genetic engineering, a topic that didn’t even exist when the previous textbook was written. As part of a new textbook, this chapter constitutes one section of a comprehensive reference that will cover all aspects of wheat plant and grain science.

Technical Abstract: Up-to-date textbooks are needed to educate the agricultural scientists of tomorrow. This manuscript comprises one chapter in such a textbook, “Wheat: Science and Trade”, and covers the subject of wheat genetic engineering. The chapter begins with a summary of key discussion elements and ends with a Future Perspectives section. Topics covered in detail include transformation methodology as applied to wheat; selection and reporter genes used; transformation efficiency; the processes and resulting structures of DNA integration; promoters for transgene expression; the use of transformation for functional wheat genomics, including RNA interference strategies; applications to improve protein, starch, nutritional and end-use properties of wheat grain; schemes being implemented to improve resistance to various pathogens, pests and abiotic stresses; technical limitations of the current methods; and prospects for the impact of genetically engineered wheat on production agriculture. Also discussed are similarities and differences between genetic engineering and wheat breeding for genetic improvements. As part of a new textbook, this chapter constitutes one section of a comprehensive reference that covers all aspects of wheat plant and grain science.