Biolistic transformation of Cercospora caricis, a specific pathogenic fungus of Cyperus rotundus

Cercospora caricis is being considered as a bioherbicide agent for use agai nst purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), one of the world's worst weeds. How ever, first its efficiency must be improved, for example by genetic transfo rmation. By optimizing physical and biological parameters, the particle Run acceleration method (biolistics) has been adapted to transform mycelial ce lls of C. carcis. Two genes were expressed in C. caricis by biolistic trans formation. The beta -glucuronidase gene (GUS) fused to the GDP1 promoter of Cochliobolus heterostrophus and the hygromycin B resistance gene under con trol of the PtrpC promoter of Aspergillus nidulans. Although the transforma tion frequency was not high, all transformants were stable when they were p ropagated on a selective medium after eight subsequent transfers.