Growth habit and sugar accumulation in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) transformed with a cytokinin biosynthesis gene

Abstract.

Expression of a bacterial cytokinin biosynthesis gene fused to a patatin gene promoter was studied in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.). Two independent transformants, Pat-ipt 1 and 2, exhibited a number of distinguishable morphological alterations commonly induced by cytokinins, i.e. less root growth, reduced leaf surface area, and increased axillary shoot development. Concentrations of the cytokinins zeatin and zeatin riboside were increased by twofold in taproots and 7- to 18-fold in leaves. Leaf sucrose and glucose concentrations were not significantly different from those in control plants except in Pat-ipt 2 where glucose levels were elevated ninefold. Since normal taproot development was severely inhibited, sucrose concentrations in the taproots were significantly reduced.