The genetic engineering of horticultural crops to improve disease/insect resistance, cultivar quality, or other characteristics has become a primary area of focus for many research programs. The technique is attractive because a single beneficial trait can be added to an already successful cultivar without otherwise altering cultivar integrity. However, little information has been available regarding the performance of such transgenic plants in the field, particularly regarding woody perennial crops. The purpose of this colloquium is to provide the latest available information regarding the performance of transgenic plants in the field, covering a wide range of crops including vegetables, woody fruit trees, woody nut trees, and forest trees. Focus will be on the long-term expression of transgenes and promoter efficiency. The information provided should be particularly useful to researchers who are currently designing or performing experiments to improve horticultural crops by genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering of reproductive sterility in forest trees
