Stability of Transgenes in Blueberry

Abstract

The stability of transgenes was investigated in highbush blueberry cultivars transformed with either gus A (and npt II for selection with kanamycin) in 'Aurora' or bar in 'Legacy'. Transgenic 'Aurora' shoots were cultured on selection medium with 50 mg L -1 kanamycin and non-selection medium separately for 5 years. They showed no apparent morphological differences in comparison to non-transgenic shoots. Histochemical GUS staining revealed expression of gus A in all 19 transgenic events regardless of the culture media. Three-year old bar-transgenic 'Legacy' plants were grown in the greenhouse and also showed a normal phenotype compared to non-transgenic plants. Presence of the bar gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction in all young leaf samples derived from six transgenic events. Herbicide tolerance was observed in transgenic plants after application of 750 mg L -1 glufosinate ammonium through leaf painting or whole plant spraying. For both gus A and bar, there was no evidence that the transgenes were unstable in transgenic blueberry plants. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.