TRANSGENIC PLANTS FROM THE BRASSICA SPP. GENUS WITH MYCORRHIZATION CAPACITY AND HAVING AN INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Mycorrhizae are a type of symbiotic association between fungi and vascular plant roots which can be transformed into excellent allies for crops of any type, since they foment their cost-effectiveness because they favour saving resources; allow reducing the water intended for irrigation and fertilisation; promote the biological activity of the soil; and increase crop output; facilitate protection against abiotic and biotic stresses, with a potential application in the biocontrol of phytopathogens and in phytoremediation, among other advantages. Although most vascular plants are capable of forming symbiosis with mycorrhiza-producing fungi, specifically endomycorrhizae, 18 % of them are incapable. Brassicaceae group is one of them. Among the plants of the Brassicaceae family, rapeseed {Brassica napus) is an oleaginous species which has a high percentage of excellent-quality oil and an extraction residue with a high protein level. At present, it is the most widely cultivated oleaginous plant in the European Union. The rapeseed crop takes on considerable importance due to the increase in demand by the biodiesel industry and the price thereof. Furthermore, rapeseed is used for obtaining oil for human consumption, flour and fodder. Its incorporation in production systems has a number of advantages for the producer and for the industry. This is the reason why it is of great importance to have plants of this genus, with mycorrhizal capacity and therefore to obtain plants with higher production and resistance to abiotic stress.