Genetic Engineering of Maize for Drought Tolerance In Eastern And Central Africa
Loading...
Date
2008
Authors
Machuka, Jesse
Oduor, Richard
Runo, Steven
Adam, Rasha
Matheka, Jonathan
Bedada, Leta
Seth, Miccah
Kuria, Eric
Masiga, Clet
Mugoya, Charles
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
asareca.org
Abstract
Maize, the most important staple food crop in East and Central Africa (ECA), is affected by
drought – the single most important abiotic factor responsible for up to 70% maize loss. In the
year 2008, a project funded to a tune of USD350, 000 by USAID through ASARECA was
initiated. The objective of the project was to develop and avail drought tolerant engineered
maize genotypes adapted to ECA. This was done using genetic engineering approaches of gene
up-regulation, under-regulation (silencing) and drought inducible expression of candidate
genes. To date 15 tropical maize genotypes have successfully been transformed with drought
conferring genes; Annexinp35, Annat1, NHX1, XvPrx2, XvSAP1, IPT, CBF 1, amiRNA1 and
amiRNA3 . The maize genotypes developed using these genetic engineering technologies are
being advanced and evaluated in the glass house at Kenyatta University in preparation for
drought stress experiments and field trials. The genetically engineered maize lines are: one
Ethiopian open pollinated variety (OPV), one temperate line, eight Sudanese genotypes , one
Tanzanian OPV and five CIMMYT inbred lines. The research products ready for uptake and
utilization are the base sequence of a drought tolerance gene that has been isolated and cloned
and optimized protocols for regeneration of maize germplasm adapted to ECA. Seventeen
partners from around the globe have been identified and are playing different roles and
responsibilities in the development of drought tolerant transgenic maize. Scientists from ECA
region are being trained on genetic engineering at MSc. and PhD. Level. To avail drought
tolerant engineered maize genotypes to farmers in ECA region more studies involving the
generated maize lines are critical and this will be done by building synergies for up-scaling the
utilization of findings of this research.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Citation
Machuka, J., Oduor, R., Runo, S., Adam, R., Matheka, J., Bedada, L., ... & Mugoya, C. (2008). Genetic engineering of maize for drought tolerance in Eastern and Central Africa.