Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation of popular Indica rice Ratna (IET 1411)

Abstract

This is the first report of genetic transformation of indica rice cultivar Ratna (IET 1411). Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 carrying a binary vector pCAMBIA1301 harboring the CaMV35S promoter driven modified GUS gene was used. Various parameters critical to rice transformation were optimized including callus induction medium, bacterial concentration, co-cultivation conditions, concentration of the plant  growth regulator 2,4-D and the concentration of acetosyringone. The transformed lines were analyzed using PCR for marker sequence and gusA gene expression by GUS activity assays. The regeneration and transformation frequency were calculated to be 70 and 47% respectively. This is a reproducible high efficiency transformation technique for the Indica rice cultivar Ratna (IET 1411).

Keywords: Indica rice, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, callus induction, transformation, regeneration, GUS.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3187-3197