RAPID PRODUCTION OF FERTILE TRANSGENIC PLANTS OF RYE (SECALE-CEREALE L)

We have produced transgenic rye plants by the direct delivery of plasmid DNA, containing the uidA and bar genes, into young embryogenic calli using high velocity microprojectiles. Of the fourteen independent callus lines selected on varying concentrations of phosphinothricin (PPT), the active ingredient of the herbicide Basta, six showed phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) activity. Plants (RO) were regenerated from two putative transformed lines on medium containing Pasta. All of the RO plants recovered from the two lines showed GUS expression (in leaves, roots, pistils and pollen), PAT activity and resistance to topical application of Pasta. The presence of the uidA and bar genes and their integration into nuclear DNA in transformed RO plants and their R1 progeny was confirmed by Southern analysis. Flowering fertile RO plants were obtained 8-9 months after the initial culture and bombardment. Male and female transmission of the two genes, which segregated as dominant Mendelian traits in R1 plants, was demonstrated.