Efficient Genetic Transformation of Lotus corniculatus L. and Growth of Transformed Plants in Field

Abstract

An efficient protocol for shoot regeneration and genetic transformation was applied to root segments of a new Lotus corniculatus L. cultivar Bokor. The shoots, that regenerated on root segments, were inoculated with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4M70GUS, and produced hairy roots, which on media with 0.2 mg dm-3 benzylaminopurine, regenerated shoots. After rooting and acclimation, the transformed plants were planted in the experimental field. Their morphological traits were compared to controls. No signs of the rol genes phenotype were present. The transformants were significantly taller than controls, while there were no significant differences in the leaf area. The glucuronidase activity and the presence of uidA gene was demonstrated in transformed plants of T0 and in seedlings of T1 generations. It is concluded that A. rhizogenes could be a vector of choice for the transfer of desirable genes into the bird's foot trefoil genome.