S. Bruna

Modification of plant architecture in Limonium spp. induced by rol genes

An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for Limonium has been developed. The leaf explants of the sterile hybrid L116 (Limonium otolepis, Kuntze × Limonium latifolium, Kuntze) were inoculated with A. tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring the binary vector pBin19 containing a T-DNA fragment encompassing rol A,B and C genes of A. rhizogenes Ri plasmid (pRi1855). Transgenic shoots, regenerated on selection medium, were micropropagated, rooted, and transferred to soil. Southern analysis confirmed the insertion of rol genes into the plant genome. Three transgenic clones were selected and based on their phenotypic characteristics were named super-compact, compact and semi-compact types. In general the transformed plants showed ornamental traits such as dwarfness and early flowering which are highly desirable.