Many seed companies are using plant biotechnology as a valuable extension of conventional plant breeding with the goal of providing breeders with novel biological traits. The application of biotechnology allows scientists and breeders to make precise changes during the process of germplasm improvement. Many of the first improvements achieved using transgenic plants have involved the transfer of input traits. Some of these traits include, insect resistance, nematode resistance, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance. For example, the insertion of a gene that produces the crystalline toxin from Bacillus thuringeinsis has led to the production of transgenic plants that are resistant to insects from the Order Lepidoptera. The transfer of coat protein genes from plant viruses has lead to the development of transgenic crops that are resistant to the virus from which the gene or genes were isolated. Various strategies have been developed that allow transgenic plants to tolerate applications of herbicides that allows for improved weed control. In addition to input traits, other strategies are now being used that are directed at improving output traits. These include such traits as enhanced shelf life, ripening control, altered oils, and superior processing characteristics. At Seminis Vegetable Seed Co., we are currently developing transgenic plants with enhanced input as well as output traits. We have an active program using pathogen derived genes to develop virus resistance cultivars in a range of crops including, tomato, cucurbits, and peppers. Using this approach, we have been able to develop plants with multiple virus resistance by transforming germplasm with constructs containing stacked genes. Seminis is currently marketing a hybrid squash variety with resistance to two major virus pathogens. Another major goal for Seminis is implementing biotechnology to improve various aspects of fruit quality including viscosity, color, softening, and shelf life. Through our collaboration with Zeneca we have developed a high viscosity tomato, which was produced by suppressing endogenous levels of polyglacturonase. This processed food product is currently on the market in the United Kingdom.
Artificially induced phased siRNAs promote virus resistance in transgenic plants
