Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Selected Kenyan Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes by Introgression of Nicotiana Protein Kinase (npk1) to Enhance Drought Tolerance
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Date
2014
Authors
Omwoyo, Ombori
Muoma, J.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing
Abstract
Currently maize production in the East and Central Africa (ECA) region is at 1.3 tonnes per hectare
compared to the potential of up to 7.0 tonnes per hectare because of biotic and abiotic constraints,
and this has resulted in prevalence of famine in sub-Saharan Africa. Drought is the most important
abiotic stress affecting productivity of maize in Sub Saharan Africa leading to up to 70% crop loss
and in certain cases total crop loss. Previous work has shown that Mitogenic Activated Protein Kinase
(MAPKKK) gene activated an oxidative signal cascade, which led to tolerance to adverse condition.
To analyze the role of the oxidative signal cascades on tropical maize, 4 transgenic tropical
maize plants were developed through an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with a MAPKKK
homology from tobacco Nicotiana Protein Kinase 1 (npk1) and the insert was confirmed using
Southern and Northern blot hybridization analysis. Fertile To maize plants were obtained which
were planted to generate T1 plants, which were used for comparison with non-transgenic plants.
The T1 plantlets of tropical inbred TL08-(2)4, single hybrid cross of a PTL001, a multiple cross hybrid
DH01 and a dry land cultivar DLC1 genotypes were planted in the greenhouse and assessed
for morphological and physiological changes associated with increase in drought stress tolerance
when under water stress condition. The results showed that npk1 effectively enhanced drought
tolerance in TL08-(2)4 and PTL001, and there was no significant morphological difference between
transgenic controls (well watered) and transgenic tests (subjected to moderate drought
stress). Overall, there were between 20% - 35% enhancements of yield of the transgenic stressed
events compared with non-transgenic stressed control
Description
Keywords
Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Drought Tolerance, Nicotiana Protein Kinase, Southern Blot Hybridization, Zea mays
Citation
American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014, 5, 863-883