Publications - Faculty - Recently Submitted Faculty Publications 2009
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Grosser - Scientia Horticulturae
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation and plant regeneration from a complex tetraploid hybrid citrus rootstock
M. DUTT, J. MADHAVARAJ AND J. W. GROSSER
Abstract. Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of a tetraploid “tetrazyg” citrus rootstock selection ‘Orange#16’ [Nova mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) + Hirado Buntan pummelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck] X [Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) + Argentine trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.)] was performed. Juvenile epicotyl segments were transformed with a construct containing the bifunctional egfp-nptII fusion gene. Our protocol resulted in a reasonable transformation efficiency of 18%. Stable integration of the transgene was confirmed by visual observation of EGFP expression, PCR and Southern blot hybridization. The purpose of this work was to investigate the amenability of novel citrus rootstock germplasm being developed for improved tree size control, soil adaptation, and disease resistance, to existing transformation technologies. Seed trees of such transgenic tetraploids also have potential as trap plants containing potent insecticidal transgenes, due to their inedible fruit and inherent crossing barriers with conventional commercial diploid scion cultivars, and could be planted around producing citrus groves. This is the first report of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of tetraploid citrus.
