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Evaluation of Herbicide Resistance in Transgenic Crops Under Field Conditions

Bio/Technology volume 7, pages 61–64 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

We have analysed two herbicide resistant transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and four potato (Solanum tuberosum) lines under field conditions. These lines resulted from Agrobacterium mediated transformation of tobacco and potato leaf discs with chimeric bar genes encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT). Greenhouse tests have demonstrated that this enzyme protects transformed plants against the broad–spectrum herbicides glufosinate and bialaphos. In field tests, the transformants revealed the same agronomic performance as untransformed controls. Complete resistance to field dose applications of glufosinate was observed, although PAT expression in these lines varied by two orders of magnitude. These field data confirm that glufosinate can be applied as a selective post–emergence herbicide on engineered crops.

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Author notes

  1. Johan Botterman: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Genetic Systems, N.V., J. Plateaustraat 22, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Willy De Greef, Marc De Block, Jan Leemans & Johan Botterman

  2. Institut Expérimental du Tabac de la SEITA, Domaine de la Tour, 24100, Bergerac, France

    René Delon

Authors
  1. Willy De Greef
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  2. René Delon
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  3. Marc De Block
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  4. Jan Leemans
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  5. Johan Botterman
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Greef, W., Delon, R., Block, M. et al. Evaluation of Herbicide Resistance in Transgenic Crops Under Field Conditions. Nat Biotechnol 7, 61–64 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0189-61

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