Transgenic Plants

Transgenic Plants are those Plants whose genome is modified using different tools of genetic engineering technology to insert the trait of our interest. These traits do not naturally occur, so we need to modify Plants’ genetic material. An example of the first Transgenic Plant is tobacco, which was developed in 1983.

Transgenic Plants are created for numerous benefits such as to resist biotic and abiotic stress, to increase nutritional value, etc. In this chapter, we will learn about techniques for creating Transgenic Plants, their function, and their importance.

Definition of Transgenic Plants

Plants that have had specific traits inserted into their genomes through various genetic engineering techniques are known as Transgenic Plants.

What are Transgenic Plants?

Transgenic Plants are those that have had their genetic makeup altered by introducing genes from different organisms. This isolates the gene of interest from another organism such as bacteria or other Plants, making any required modifications, and then introducing the altered gene into the target Plant’s genome to show the specific traits.

Different Methods to Create Transgenic Plant

There are various methods through which we can transfer the gene of interest into the Plants genetic material and below are some techniques;

1. Agrobacterium mediated transfer: Ti-plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used to insert the gene of interest in selected Plant genome. Ti-plasmid has capability to form tumor known as crown ball disease.
2. Biolistic Transformation: In this techniques gold coated microscopic particles are used which carry gene of interest. These particles are releases using gene gun and directly enters the cell nucleus with high speed.
3. Electroportation: In this technique electric current is used which creates temporary porese in Plant cell wall allowing to genetic material to get into the cell.
4. Microinjection: This is very complicated techniques which allows the directly insertion of foreign DNA into the Plant cell nucleus.
5. Virus mediated gene transfer: Plant pathogenic viruses engineered in such a way that it can carry the gene of interest and when virus infect the Plant, that gene of interest get expressed into Plants.
6. Polyethylene glycol transformation: PEG is a chemical which is applied on the Plant that results in disruption of of cell wall allowing the foreign genetic material to get into the Plant system.
7. Whiskar mediated transformation: Gene of interest coated tungestion whiskar are mechanically inserted into the Plant tissue to incorporated the gene.
8. Liposome mediated transformation: Lipid vesdicles known as liposome carrying gene of interest fuse with Plant cell membrane allowing incorporation of foreign material into cell.
9. Protoplast transformation: Protoplasts are Plant cell without their cell wall can be modified using any transformation techniques.

Examples of Transgenic Plants

There are numerous examples of Transgenic Plants which have been developed to make sustainable agriculture and here the some examples;

1. Bt Cotton: Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene has been genetically incorporated into the genome of cotton Plant to resist the pest infection.
2. Golden rice: Beta carotene is the precursor of vitamin A has been genetically incorporated into the golden rice to erradicate the vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
3. Round ready soybeans: Gylophosate is a chemical which is commonly present in herbicides, so to withstand glyphosate round ready soybeans has been genetically modified.
4. Flavr Savr tomato: Flavr Savr tomato are genetically modified to suppress the ethylene gene which are responsible for ripening of tomato.
5. Bt corn: Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene has been genetically incorporated into the genome of corn Plant to resist the pest infection.
6. Rainbow papaya: Ringspot virus disease is nightmare for papaya crop. Virus gene has been incorporated into the crop to resist infection.

Importance of Transgenic Plants

Transgenic Plants are of great importance to make agriculture sustainable and here is the some importance of Transgenic Plants;

1. Pest and disease resistance: Crops has been genetically modified to make the resistance to pest and insect infection which can make crop to withstand infection.
2. Herbicide tolerance: Herbicide can be harmful for crops, so crops are genetically modified to withstand herbicides.
3. Increasing yield: To meet the global need of food crops has been genetically modified to increase the yield of crop.
4. Nutional increment: In developing countries malnutrition is a major cause of death and disease. Nutritional enhancement can be done.
5. Abiotic stress tolerance: To withstand different types of abiotic stress crop can be genetically modified.
6. Improved shelf life: Some crops can be easily ripped, so to increase ripping time crops can be modified.

Conclusion

Although Transgenic Plants have many advantages, their appropriate use requires careful consideration of ethical, environmental, and regulatory issues. Several factors influence the transformation technique selection, including the kind of Plant, the tissue to be transformed, and the overall objectives of the genetic alteration. Transgenic Plants are ones whose genetic composition has been modified by the introduction of genes from other species.

FAQs- Transgenic Plants

1. What are examples of Transgenic Plants?

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops like Bt cotton, Bt corn, Bt potato, and Bt tobacco are genetically engineered to produce endotoxins, offering targeted protection against pests like Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Nematoda.

2. What is transgenic Plants in Plant biotechnology?

Plant biotechnology encompasses the application of tissue culture and genetic engineering techniques to create genetically modified Plants with novel or enhanced desirable traits.

3. What is another name for Transgenic Plants?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) involve the manipulation of genetic material, specifically through Transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology.

4. Which is the first Transgenic Plant?

In 1982, the tobacco Plant marked a historic milestone as the world’s inaugural genetically modified crop, engineered to be antibiotic-resistant.

5. What is the aim of a Transgenic Plant?

Transgenic Plants undergo genetic modifications through advanced engineering techniques. The objective is to incorporate a novel trait into the Plant that is not naturally present in the species.