Production and rooting behaviour of rolB-transgenic plants of grape rootstock ‘Richter 110’ (Vitis berlandieri × V. rupestris)

Abstract

Genetic improvement of grape rootstocks is aimed at protection against grape phylloxera and other soil-borne pests and diseases, good rooting and graft compatibility as well as adaptability to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Apart from the long evaluation period required, breeding is complicated by the high heterozygosity in grapes. As an alternative to traditional crossing, gene transfer permits addition of single traits, largely without affecting the genetic background of existing valuable cultivars. Here we report on the production and rooting behaviour of transgenic grape rootstock ‘Richter 110’ carrying the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB gene, which is known to promote rooting. Transformation was achieved by co-cultivation of somatic embryogenic callus with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harbouring plasmid pHrB. The T-DNA of pHrB contains the hpt gene, conferring hygromycin resistance, and the rolB gene under control of its own promoter. PCR using transgene-specific primers verified the presence of hpt in all 36 hygromycin resistant clones selected, while only 24 clones also possessed the rolB gene. Rooting behaviour was examined in vitro, using tip, node and internode explants, and in aeroponic culture in the greenhouse, using single-node cuttings. Compared to internodes of non-transgenic ‘Richter 110’, those of rolB-transgenic clones in general showed significantly higher rooting ability and, in contrast to the former, were able to root profusely even in the absence of auxin. Cuttings of three rolB-transgenic clones in aeroponic culture produced almost twice as many primary roots as those of the non-transgenic control.