Genetic transformation of sugarcane by Agrobacterium tumefaciens using antioxidant compounds

The effects of 3 antioxidant compounds -ascorbic acid, cysteine and silver nitrate- on the growth of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain At 2260 and its interaction with plant cells, as well as on the viability and callus formation of meristematic tissue, were evaluated using explants from in vitro and field-cultured sugarcane plants commercial variety Ja 60-5. We achieved the transfer of a binary vector bearing the uid1 and bar genes to sugarcane meristematic explants, and obtained the generation of BASTA registered -resistant and GUS-positive calli. The use of an antioxidant mix caused an 80 % cell death decrease in respect to controls, and the callus quality was not affected in any of the culture phases.