One-step transformation of two Andean potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L. subsp. andigena)

Abstract

Abstract. Most Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedures described in the literature have proven to be inefficient for transformation of Andean potato cultivars. We describe here a more successful method for transformation of two of these cultivars, Diacol Capiro (DC) and Parda Pastusa (PP). Leaf explants were transformed using vector pBI121 carrying the β-glucuronidase and kanamycin resistance genes. Calli and shoot formation occurred after 5–8\xa0weeks on a selection medium containing 3\xa0mg/l zeatin and 1\xa0mg/l indole acetic acid. The shoot regeneration frequency was 28% and 34% for DC and PP, respectively. Of the kanamycin-resistant plantlets obtained, 51% of those of DC and 13% of those of PP were confirmed to be transformants by histochemical assays, polymerase chain reaction analyses and Southern blotting techniques.