Abstract
Particle bombardment has been used to transform three cultivars (L35, Ofanto, Svevo) and one breeding line (Latino x Lira) of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). These varieties were co-transformed with plasmids containing selectable and scorable marker genes (bar and uidA) and plasmids containing one of two high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunit genes (encoding subunits 1Ax1 or 1Dx5). Ten independent transgenic lines were recovered from 1683 bombarded scutella (transformation efficiency thus 0.6%). Five lines expressed either subunit 1Dx5 or 1Ax1 at levels similar to those of endogenous subunits encoded on chromosome 1B. To identify the effects of the transgenes on the functional properties of grain, three lines showing segregation for transgene expression were used to isolate sibling T2 plants which were null or positive for the transgene product. Analysis of these plants using a small-scale mixograph showed that expression of the additional subunits resulted in increased dough strength and stability, demonstrating that transformation can be used to modify the quality of durum wheat for bread and pasta making.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 377-386 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Molecular Breeding |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Flour quality improvement
- Pasta wheat
- Seed protein modification
- Transformation
- Triticum turgidum L. var. durum