The yield, quality, and market value of potato, the third most important
crop in the world, is threatened by salinity and drought tolerance. Thus,
researchers from National Scientific and Technical Research Council in
Argentina developed a transgenic potato using the ABF4 gene in potato to
improve the tuber yield and quality and stress tolerance of potato.



ABF proteins are transcription factors that are involved in abscisic acid
signalling when stress is present and are important in the induction of
tuberization. ABF4 has been found to be important in tuber yield. In the
study mentioned, the researchers generated transgenic potato with the ABF4
gene via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. They determined the tuber
dry matter content and starch and sugar content, sprouting behavior, leaf
water loss, relative water content of the transgenic plants. Under salinity
and drought conditions, they also determined agronomic traits, proline
content, protein oxidation, gas exchange, and chlorophyll content of
transgenic potato plants. Results showed enhanced salinity and drought
tolerance and increase in tuber yield in potato plants under normal and
stressed conditions. The tubers were also shown to have enhanced storage
capability and processing quality.



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