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Transformation of Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Evaluation of Herbicide Resistance in Transgenic Plants

Bio/Technology volume 10, pages 309–314 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

We have developed an Agrobacterium mediated transformation procedure for sugarbeet, which is known for its recalcitrant behavior in vitro. A friable type of callus was used as the starting material, and combinations of different chimeric gene constructs, consisting of antibiotic or herbicide resistance genes, were evaluated. Sugarbeet was engineered for resistance to the broad spectrum herbicide glufosinate-ammonium or to sulfonylurea compounds by introducing either the bialaphos resistance gene (bar) or genes encoding mutant acetolactate synthases (ALS). Field grown progeny of transformants expressing the bar gene were resistant to commercial levels of glufosinate-ammonium applied in the field. Transformants expressing a mutant ALS gene were resistant to field levels of sulfonylurea compounds applied under greenhouse conditions. The procedure described proved to be applicable for lines with different genetic backgrounds.

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Author notes

  1. Kathleen D'Halluin: Corresponding author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Jozef Plateaustraat 22, B-9000, Gent, Belgium

    Kathleen D'Halluin, Martien Bossut, Els Bonne, Jan Leemans & Johan Botterman

  2. Du Pont Co., Agricultural Products Dept., Wilmington, Delaware, 19880-0402, USA

    Barbara Mazur

Authors
  1. Kathleen D'Halluin
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  2. Martien Bossut
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  3. Els Bonne
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  4. Barbara Mazur
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  5. Jan Leemans
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  6. Johan Botterman
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D'Halluin, K., Bossut, M., Bonne, E. et al. Transformation of Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Evaluation of Herbicide Resistance in Transgenic Plants. Nat Biotechnol 10, 309–314 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0392-309

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