Improvement of tall fescue by genetic transformation

Genetic Transformation of Elite Turf-type Cultivars of Tall Fescue

Biotechnology approaches can supplement conventional breeding efforts for turfgrass improvement. The objective of this study was to develop reliable transformation and selection schemes for elite turf-type tall fescue cultivars. Transgenic tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plants were obtained by microprojectile bombardment of embryogenic suspension cells of two elite turf-type cultivar...

High efficiency transformation of tall fescue with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

An efficient genetic transformation system for tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated TDNA delivery, is described. Seed-derived embryogenic calli were infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring plasmids pTOK47 and pCAMBIA1301. Infected calli were selected at 250 mg L 1 hyg B and the regenerated plantlets at 50 mg L . Using the p...

Tall Fescue Toxicosis

widely used forage crop. It is insect and nematode resistant, tolerates poor soil and climatic conditions well and has a long growing season. Unfortunately, tall fescue also has a downside. Most tall fescue in the state is infected with a fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum (formerly called Acremonium coenophialum) that is toxic to animals. Tall fescue was brought to this country from E...

Genetic diversity in a world germplasm collection of tall fescue

Festuca arundinacea Schreb., commonly known as tall fescue, is a major forage crop in temperate regions. Recently, a molecular analysis of different accessions of a world germplasm collection of tall fescue has demonstrated that it contains different species from the genus Festuca and allowed their rapid classification into the three major morphotypes (Continental, Mediterranean and Rhizomatous...

Sampling the Genetic Diversity of Tall Fescue Utilizing Gamete Selection