The transgenic sunflower

Abstract

At the beginning of the new millennium, sunflower relied on traditional non-GM varieties, which could be a possible disadvantage in relation to other oilseed crops. Different transformation protocols allowed obtaining desirable transgenic traits: the oxalate-oxidase expressing gene for fungal disease control, glyphosate tolerance by expressing Agrobacterium gene cp4, and the Bt toxin gene cry1 to control Lepidoptera. Ammonium absorption, other herbicide tolerance, Cry1 variants and the CpT1 gene for pest control are new targets. Quality can be improved through a modified protein and latex biosynthesis. The high cost of the GM crop approval process, increased by the probability of gene flow with wild relatives, is a constraint for the transgenic sunflower release. Strategies designed to minimize environmental risks and changes in consumer perception are needed before sunflower transgenic varieties become acceptable.