Transformation of trehalose synthase gene (TPS Gene) into corn inbred line and identification of drought tolerance

Abstract

Trehalose synthase gene (TPS gene) was transferred into maize inbred line Zheng58 with the improved pollen tube path method. At the three to five leaf stage, selection with spray Basta (0.7%) solution was conducted, and was then followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-southern detection. The results showed that the new gene was transferred into the plants and integrated into the plant chromosomes. The initial drought-tolerance test in farmland confirmed that the drought resistance of transgenic plants was higher than that of non-transgenic plants. The results show that the new maize drought resistance germplasm can be gained by means of pollen tube path which is a feasible, effective and new way for maize drought resistance breeding.

Key words: Maize, trehalose synthase gene (TPS Gene), drought resistance.