Resistance to weevils, Cylas puncticollis and C. brunneus, is very low in the available sweetpotato germplasm. Two cry genes are now accessible in Uganda for the improvement of resistance to weevils in sweetpotato through genetic transformation. The objective of the reported research is to develop an in vitro method of regenerating Ugandan sweetpotato for application of genetic transformation. The results show that both cultivar and type of plant organ are significant factors affecting somatic embryogenesis. These findings pave the way for application of genetic transformation to improve resistance to weevils in Ugandan sweetpotato germplasm.
Authors: Abel Sefasi, Gorrettie Ssemakula, Andrew Kiggundu, Settumba Mukasa, Jan Kreuze, Marc Ghislain, Abel Sefasi, Gorrettie Ssemakula, Andrew Kiggundu, Settumba Mukasa, Jan Kreuze, Marc Ghislain
Contributors: Jane Maurine Gati, Jane Maurine Gati
Subjects: Weevil resistance through biotechnology
Pages: 1
Publisher: International Society for Horticulture Science
Publication Date: 2012
Keywords: Biotechnology, Sweetpotato weevil, Weevil resistance