Genetic Engineering of Cauliflower using Traditional and Innovative Techniques

Caulifower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is an important target for breeding programs aimed at transferring nutraceutical or agronomic traits and could be also used as a source of genes for improving other Brassica spp. crops. Consumption of brassicas such as caulifower and broccoli is increasing, supported by several improved F1 hybrids and landraces available on the market. Their diversifcation represents a source of biodiversity that can be exploited in breeding programs. Genetic engineering has important goals in terms of genetic improvement leading to the development of biotic and abiotic resistance, and could be used to massively improve crop production and nutritional values in a short time compared with traditional breeding. Over the last few decades, new genome editing techniques have been developed following on from Rhizobium-mediated transformation exploiting microorganism-mediated protocols, such as clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9). Genetic engineering also allows us to overcome the interspecifc barriers that limit the transfer of interesting genes. In vitro techniques developed via organogenesis, such as protoplast fusion and somatic hybridization, also represent an important means of breeding self-incompatible and outcrossing genotypes, including incompatible species. In this chapter, the methods and the different objectives related to the transformation techniques for caulifower are described.