Potato breeding is difficult and requires a great deal of time and energy. The use of recombinant DNA technology, with its potential capacity of isolating and transferring genes from any organism, allows incorporating in plants new characters of agricultural interest. However, consequences of the incorporation of determined genes on physiological characteristics are sometimes unknown. In this study we evaluated photosynthetic characteristics of potato plants genetically modified with resistance genes to PVY. Potato tubers of cv. Baronesa and its respective transformed genotype were planted in pots and kept in greenhouse. During the plant life cycle, parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, net photosynthesis and potential photosynthesis were evaluated. Plants transformed with PVY resistant genes showed higher maximum photochemical efficiency and higher oxygen evolution rate, however the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and net photosynthesis were the same.
Solanum tuberosum; chlorophyll fluorescence; genetic transformation
