Transgenic plants of cassava (Manihot esculenta) with resistance to Basta obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Transgenic plants of cassava (Manihot esculenta) resistant to the herbicide Basta were obtained through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The pla nts also expressed the uidA gene and two were positive for PCR- and/or Sout hern-based detection of the nptII gene. Somatic-embryo-derived cotyledons w ere used as source of explants. A non-disarmed Agrobacterium strain (CIAT 1 182) was used to transfer the genes of interest into cassava cultivar MPer1 83. Greenhouse tests of resistance to Basta (Hoechst) showed three plant li nes with different levels of tolerance to the herbicide, Based on Southern tests of transgenesis, the transformation efficiency was 1%. The results co nstitute the first report of the bar gene conferring herbicide resistance t o cassava plants.