RECOMBINATION IN PLANTS EXPRESSING VIRAL TRANSGENES

When a segment of a specific viral genome is expressed in a transgenic plant, the plant is often resistant to that virus. This promising met hod of deriving virus resistance appears also to provide an opportunit y for RNA recombination. Several reports confirm that the viral transg enic transcript is available to a challenging virus for recombination. Using cowpea chlorotic mottle virus as a model, modifications of the transgene significantly reduced the recovery of viable recombinants fr om transgenic plants. Several recommendations are made for reducing th e involvement of the transgene in RNA recombination events. (C) 1996 A cademic Press Ltd.