Estimating agronomic traits of transgenic tobacco lines

Tobacco transgenic lines belonging to four cultivars modified with three genetic constructions providing the resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY) had been described as regards their agronomic and biological traits. The constructions included viral genes: the coat protein gene of Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) and the replicase gene of PVY used in sense and antisense orientation. Evaluation of the chosen farm traits of the transgenic tobacco lines was performed by comparing them with their nontransgenic equivalents. The traits such as growth and development rate, height of stalks, leaf area, morphology of plants, course of meiosis and pollen viability were described. The cured leaves were analysed as regards to their physical traits and chemical composition. The individual transgenic lines differed from control cultivars to a little extent. Only insignificant changes, mainly in the quality of raw material were observed. Genetic modification did not cause any changes in the course of meiosis and pollen viability.