Plant Tissue Cult. 13(2) : 211-225, 2003 (December)

Review Paper

Regeneration and Genetic Transformation of Cotton: Present Status and Future Perspectives

Ratna Kumria, Sadhu Leelavathi, Raj K. Bhatnagar and Vanga Siva Reddy¹

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India

Key words: Agrobacterium, Cotton, Embryogenesis, Germline Transformation, Particle Bombardment

Abastract

Genetically modified (GM) insects and herbicides resistant cotton crop was among the first commercial transgenics to be planted on a large scale. Some of released GM cotton varieties have proved to be commercially viable, demonstrated by the increasing acreage under transgenic cotton crop. Transgenic cotton has lowered the production costs, can be better managed and reduces the adverse impact of the extensive use of harmful chemicals. There are many more critical traits that can be improved through bioengineering to commercial advantage. Genes conferring tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses, or improving the yield and fibre quality have been isolated and characterized. The introduction of these genes into the cotton genome is by no means an easy task. Most elite cotton varieties remain recalcitrant and not amenable to genetic manipulation to protocols so far developed. The present article provides a brief overview of the protocols reported for regeneration and transformation of cotton, the basic steps of bioengineering.

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