Author
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Hammerschlag, Freddi |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/1999 Publication Date: 3/20/2000 Citation: Hammerschlag, F.A. 2000. Transformation of malus. Book Chapter. Pages only- 281-303 Interpretive Summary: Conventional breeding of apple is a slow, lengthy process due to its long juvenile period, high level of self-incompatibility and the highly heterozygous nature of the genome. The use of genetic engineering techniques has a promising potential for overcoming these problems by means of direct transfer of useful genes (e.g., for disease and pest resistance) to apple. Successful transformation depends on an efficient gene delivery system and on high frequency shoot regeneration from tissue cultures. In this book chapter, I discuss problems of commercial apple cultivars, conventional breeding solutions to apple problems, and then focus on apple transformation, with an emphasis on strategies to improve the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. This chapter will be of use to scientists interested in using gene transfer techniques to improve apple and related species. Technical Abstract: Conventional breeding of apple is a slow, lengthy process due to its long juvenile period, high level of self-incompatibility and the highly heterozygous nature of the genome. The use of genetic engineering techniques has a promising potential for overcoming these problems by means of direct transfer of useful genes (e.g., for disease and pest resistance) to apple. Successful transformation depends on an efficient gene delivery system and on high frequency shoot regeneration from tissue cultures. In this book chapter, I discuss problems of commercial apple cultivars, conventional breeding solutions to apple problems and then focus on apple transformation, with an emphasis on strategies to improve the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. |