Title:

Genetic Transformation of Kentucky Bluegrass

Objectives:

1. Optimize methods for growth and regeneration of embryogenic cultures of Kentucky bluegrass.
2. Define sensitivity of cultured cells of Kentucky bluegrass to selective agents.
3. Develop microprojectile bombardment and/or tissue electroporation as methods of DNA delivery to regenerable cell cultures of Kentucky bluegrass.

Investigator:

Jeff Griffin, Asst. Professor, Grass Molecular Physiology
Dept. Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho

Cooperators:

Robert Zemetra, Assoc. Professor, Wheat Genetics and Breeding
Philip Berger, Assoc. Professor, Plant Virology
Dept. PSES, University of Idaho

Abstract of 1996 Progress:

We have continued our experiments to optimize cell culture conditions for regeneration of Kentucky bluegrass plants from callus. We have defined levels of bialaphos for selection of transformed cells, and we have done hundreds of microprojectile bombardments. Approximately a dozen putative transgenic plants will be analyzed when they are large enough.

Justification:

There is limited variability in Kentucky bluegrass for resistance to pests and pathogens; further, genetic improvement via conventional breeding techniques is difficult because of genetic barriers to sexual reproduction. A method of putting new genes into Kentucky bluegrass (transformation) would make it possible to develop plant materials with resistance to pests and pathogens from diverse sources, and would be used to complement studies on the molecular basis of flowering and yield development. We have been conducting experiments designed to test and modify published methods from other plants to develop a method to transform bluegrass.