Stable Transformation of the Saintpaulia ionantha by Particle Bombardment.

Abstract

A highly efficient genetic transformation system is essential for a successful genetic manipulation of the African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.). Developing a particle bombardment-based genetic transformation system for the African violet. A local cultivar of the African violet from Guilan province was used for transformation experiments. The pFF19G and pBin61-Ech42 vectors were used for transient and stable transformation experiments, respectively. The PCR and RT-PCR techniques were used to verify transgene presence and transcript levels in candidate transgenic lines, respectively. Using leaf explants as target tissues, we transferred an endochitinase gene cDNA into African violet. Transgenic plants were regenerated on selection medium at a reasonable frequency (in average, one stable transgenic line per shot). Molecular analysis of transgenic plants by PCR and RT-PCR techniques confirmed successful integration and expression of transgene in several independent transgenic lines. Our results provide an efficient stable transformation system for genetic transformation of African violet.