REGENERATION OF TRANSGENIC CASSAVA PLANTS (MANIHOT-ESCULENTA CRANTZ) FROM MICROBOMBARDED EMBRYOGENIC SUSPENSION-CULTURES

A protocol was established for the introduction of DNA into embryogeni c suspension-derived tissues of cassava via microparticle bombardment, for the selection of genetically transformed cells, and for the regen eration of fully transgenic plants from these cells. The plasmid DNA u sed for bombardment contained a gene encoding neomycin phosphotransfer ase (nptII) and a gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (uidA). Selection o f bombarded tissue with paromomycin resulted in the establishment of p utative transgenic embryogenic calli. In most of these calli, beta-glu curonidase was detected histochemically. Molecular analysis of paromom ycin-resistant embryogenic calli and of plants regenerated from these calli, confirmed the stable integration of bombarded DNA into the cass ava genome.