Efficient regeneration and transformation systems for improving resistance to weevils in Ugandan sweetpotato cultivars

Sweetpotato is cultivated worldwide as a valuable source of food. Weevils cause 60-100% loss of productivity. The present study aims at genetically transforming selected Ugandan sweetpotato cultivars with genes that confer resistance to weevils. A tissue culture method is being optimised to be coupled with Agrobacterium transformation technique for regeneration of transgenic sweetpotato. Preliminary results show ability to form embryogenic callus in six tested cultivars. Magabali cultivar has shown best response of 72% embryogenic callus. Plant genotype, plant organ and concentration of growth hormone in media have shown significant effect on somatic embryogenesis and could affect plant regeneration efficiency.

Authors: Abel Sefasi, Gorrettie Ssemakula, Andrew Kiggundu, S. Muukasa, E. Adipala, G. Tusiime, J.G.M. Majaliwa, Marc Ghislain, Abel Sefasi, Gorrettie Ssemakula, Andrew Kiggundu, S. Muukasa, E. Adipala, G. Tusiime, J.G.M. Majaliwa, Marc Ghislain

Contributors: Shiphar Mulumba, Shiphar Mulumba

Subjects: Weevil resistance through biotechnology

Pages: 5

Publisher: RUFORUM

Publication Date: 2010

Keywords: Agrobacterium transformation, Ipomoea batatas, Plant regeneration, Weevil resistance

HOW TO CITE

Sefasi, A., Ssemakula, G., Ghislain, M., Kiggundu, A., Mukasa, S., Adipala, E., Tusiime, G. and Majaliwa, J.G.M., 2010. Efficient regeneration and transformation systems for improving resistance to weevils in Ugandan sweetpotato cultivars. In Second RUFORUM Biennial Regional Conference on" Building capacity for food security in Africa", Entebbe, Uganda, 20-24 September 2010 (pp. 525-529). RUFORUM.