Improvementofsugarcane for borer resistance using Agrobacterium mediated transformation of cry1Ac gene

The sugarcane (SaccharumXofficinarum) is one of the most important crops used to produce sugar and raw material for biofuel in the world. One of the main causes for sucrose content and yield losses is the attack by insect. In this investigation,cry1Acgene was introduced into sugarcane variety GT54-9(C9) using theAgrobacterium tumefacienstransformation method for transgenic sugarcane production presenting insect-resistance. TheA. tumefaciensstrain GV1303 including pARTcry1Acvector was used for the production of transformed sugarcane. TheBacillus thuringiensis crygene were successfully used to produce transgenic plants used for the improvement of both agronomic efficiency and product quality by acquiring insect resistance. PCR and Southern hybridization techniques were used to confirm thecry1Acgene incorporation into sugarcane genome. Transformation percentage was 22.2% using PCR analysis with specific primers forcry1Acandnpt-II(Neomycin phosphotransferase) genes. The expression ofcry1Acgene was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), QuickStix test, and insect bioassays. Bioassays for transformed sugarcane plants showed high level of toxicity toSesamia creticagiving 100% mortality of the larvae. Sugarcane insect resistance was improved significantly by usingcry1Acgene transformation.