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Title: EFFECT OF ANTI-FUNGAL TRANSGENE(S) ON AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF TRANSGENIC PEANUT LINES GROWN UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Author
item Chamberlin, Kelly
item Melouk, Hassan
item PAYTON, M - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2004
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Chenault, K.D., Melouk, H.A., Payton, M.E. 2006. Effect of anti-fungal transgene(s) on agronomic traits of transgenic peanut lines grown under field conditions. Peanut Science. 33:12-19.

Interpretive Summary: Peanut is susceptible to many diseases. One of the major diseases affecting peanut production in the southwestern U.S. is Sclerotinia blight, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia minor. Transgenic peanut lines possessing fungal resistance genes offer an alternative to traditional resistance and fungicide application in managing fungal diseases. Transgenic peanut lines containing anti-fungal genes were evaluated for their reaction to Sclerotinia blight in field plots for three years. Results were interpreted to determine the effect, if any, of the insertion of foreign genes on agronomic traits of peanut considered important to the peanut industry. Over the 3-year period, yield components measured for the majority of transgenic lines tested were comparable to the parental genotype, Okrun, suggesting retention of desirable market traits by these plant lines. Of the plant lines retaining desirable quality traits, 10 demonstrated increased resistance to fungal infection compared to Okrun. These results have identified transgenic peanut lines with potential use in breeding programs for disease resistance coupled, with excellent product quality.

Technical Abstract: Agronomic traits of field crops may become adversely affected upon their transformation with foreign genes which confer resistance to plant pathogens. Field testing of such transformed plant lines is necessary to determine if desirable yield components have been retained through the transformation and regeneration process. Thirty-four peanut lines, thirty-two of which are transgenic containing anti-fungal genes, were evaluated under field conditions for a 3-year period. Peanut lines were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Disease incidence was recorded throughout the growing season, the yield components of pod mass, shelling percentage, and seed weight were determined upon harvest, and the data were analyzed for statistical significance. Deterioration of yield components was observed for 5/32 transgenic lines and was not always consistent with increased disease incidence. Yield components measured for the majority of transgenic lines tested were comparable to the parental type Okrun, suggesting retention of desirable market traits by these plant lines. Of the plant lines retaining desirable quality traits, 10 demonstrated increased resistance to fungal infection compared to Okrun. These results have identified transgenic peanut lines with potential use in breeding programs for disease resistance coupled with excellent product quality.