Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating sterile perennial plants for the prevention of transgene escape. For example, sterile switchgrass can be produced using these methods, for example which can be used to produce biofuel.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating sterile plants for the prevention of transgene escape.

Abstract: A method of obtaining transgenic turfgrass plants by an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol is disclosed. The protocol makes use of a modified Agrobacterium vector system in which selectable marker genes and other genes of interest are operably linked to strong promoters from monocotyledenous plants, such as actin and ubiquitin promoters, that function efficiently in turfgrass cells. Transgenic turfgrass plants of several species, produced by the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method, are also disclosed.