The technology in this area is, as you know, advancing more rapidly than can be reported on. There are three major areas in this program. Isolation of the needed gene, insertion of that gene, and regeneration of the plant material. As I speak later of the various pest problems and yield and quality parameters, the isolation of the needed genes will be addressed. The techniques for the insertion of a desired gene include such things as bombardment guns, which use DNA-coated gold particles and the use of biological vectors, such as Agrobacterium.
Sugar beet is more difficult to transform and to regenerate than many other crops.
However, advances are being made in tissue culture techniques that are speeding up this part of the process. This whole process is not as simplistic as I have outlined. Even after the desired gene is located, inserted, and the material regenerated, the genetic engineer and the traditional breeder must work together to incorporate this into existing breeding lines, while maintaining the original traits and the new trait or traits which came from the genetic engineering process. In line with this, significant efforts are being made in gene mapping to identify important genes. Areas of most promise in the near future are herbicide resistance, disease resistance, and yield and sucrose content.