Transformation of floriculture crops

Abstract

The three major cut flower crops ( Rosa/rose, Dendranthema/chrysanthemum, and Dianthus/carnation) have all been genetically transformed. Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘Royalty’ has been transformed by co-cultivation of Agrobacterium and friable embryogenic callus followed by embryogenesis to recover transformed plants. Dendranthema indicum (one cultivar) and Dendranthema grandiflora (16 cultivars) have both been transformed by Agrobacterium infection of either leaves, which regenerated transformed plants by organogenesis, or peduncle which formed transformed callus capable of regenerating transformed plants. Transformed Dianthus caryophyllus plants (five cultivars) have been produced by co-cultivation of leaves, petals or stems with Agrobacterium followed by direct or indirect organogenesis. All of these crops are being modified by introduction of genes that can influence important traits such as shelf life, color or disease resistance. In addition to these three major crops, at least one cultivar of the following flower crops have been transformed: Gerbera, Dendrobium, Antirrhinum, Anthurium, Eustoma and Pelargonium. Advances in the transformation of the bulb crops are still necessary. Prospects for the use of transformation technologies in floriculture crops are discussed.