The Impact of Transgenic Technology on Crop Improvement

Traditional breeding methods have promoted crop improvement to a certain extent, but there are still more obvious limitations: it is necessary to gradually screen out varieties with excellent traits through multi-generation plant reproduction and observation, however, this process is not only time-consuming, but also inefficient.

In order to break through this situation, plant breeding needs to be integrated with modern biotechnology and genetic engineering technology and other advanced means. It is against this background that transgenic technology came into being at the end of the 20th century, and this precise and efficient breeding technology has brought opportunities for the high-quality development of modern agriculture and forestry.

Transgenic technology utilizes modern biotechnology and genetic engineering means to precisely manipulate the genetic material of plants and realize the precise improvement of crop traits. Transgenic technology has achieved the goal of efficient and precise breeding and brought about a historic change in the field of plant breeding.

Transgenic Technology

Transgenic technology is the technique of transferring a target gene known to regulate a superior trait into an organism by microbial-mediated, microinjection, or gene-gun bombardment, thereby conferring a new superior trait on the organism. The selected gene sequences can be from plants, animals, or more lowly biological species. These exogenous genes can be integrated into the genome of the genetically modified organism and have great potential for application in breeding superior plant and animal species, as well as in gene therapy.

Transgenic Plants

The acquisition of transgenic plants involves the transfer of genes known to regulate specific functional traits, such as high quality, high yield, cold resistance, drought resistance, disease and insect resistance, etc., into the target organism, so that the recipient plant material improves growth, resistance and other traits based on the original genetic characteristics, thereby obtaining superior varieties.

Application of Transgenic Plants

• Insect Resistance

Transferring insect-resistant genes into plants can reduce the harm caused by pests to plants and at the same time reduce the use of pesticides. Scientists have transferred the Bt protein gene of Bacillus thuringiensis into plants so that they can produce Bt protein to obtain insect-resistant cotton varieties, which are not only insect-resistant, but also can reduce the use of pesticides.

• Herbicide Resistance

Transferring herbicide-resistant genes into plants can improve farming efficiency. Glyphosate-tolerant soybeans transformed with the cp4epsps gene can convert glyphosate into a non-toxic byproduct, and the application of glyphosate herbicide can reduce the competition between weeds and plants for nutrients, protecting the crop while selectively killing weeds.

• Improving Quality

GM technology can also improve the vitamin and micronutrient content as well as protein quality in plants, such as golden rice cultivated by transferring genes related to β-carotene synthesis into rice, transgenic citrus with significantly increased anthocyanin content, grains with increased folic acid, and transgenic kale seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acid health factors.

Common Methods of Plant Genetic Transformation

• Agrobacterium-mediated Method

Agrobacterium-mediated method is the most commonly used method for plant genetic transformation. The Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium has the ability to integrate DNA into plant chromosomes and make it express synchronously with plant endogenous genes. The Ti plasmid containing exogenous genes is transferred into Agrobacterium, and the Agrobacterium liquid is inoculated into the plant callus with a syringe, and the hairy roots are induced by dark cultivation on a medium containing the corresponding resistance. The hairy roots growing from the inoculation site are cut into small sections, dedifferentiated to form callus tissue, and regenerated plants can be obtained on the culture medium. View all Agrobacterium Competent Cells we offer

• Gene Gun Transformation Method

The gene gun method uses gold powder (0.2-2.0μm) to evenly wrap the exogenous DNA, and uses high-pressure gas to launch a complex of micro-bullets and DNA, which hits the target cell, penetrates the cell wall and protoplast membrane, and realizes the expression of exogenous genes in tissues. Gene gun method has become the second largest genetic transformation method after Agrobacterium-mediated method. It is often used for transient gene expression analysis. After the exogenous gene is transferred into the cell, it can be expressed with or without integration into the chromosome. The results can be observed within a few hours to a few days without inducing regeneration of plants.

• Polyethylene Glycol-mediated Method

The mechanism of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated method is similar to that of PEG-induced protoplast fusion, except that the latter occurs between protoplasts, while the former occurs between protoplasts and DNA. Under conditions of high concentration of Ca²⁺ and high pH value, negatively charged PEG may promote the precipitation of DNA to the protoplast membrane, or participate in the endocytosis of protoplasts, so that the exogenous DNA molecules enter the protoplasts and cell nucleus and integrate into the chromosome. PEG method is a common method for direct gene transfer, with low cost and stable effect. View all Plant Genetic Transformation Services we offer

Genetic improvement of varieties through transgenic technology can not only increase yield, improve quality, and enhance the varieties' resistance to disease, insects, and drought, but also significantly reduce the use of pesticides, reduce agricultural production costs, and greatly improve the economic benefits of the planting industry.

Agrobacterium Competent Cells We Offer

Related Services & Products

• Plant Genetic Engineering
• Plant Breeding
• Plant Genetic Transformation
• Agrobacterium Competent Cells
• Insecticidal Proteins
• Recombinant Agrobacterium Cp4 EPSPS Protein
• Plant Insect Resistance Identification