Somatic embryogenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Agrobacterium mediated transformation of Cicer arietinum L. was achieved from ICCV-10 and Annigeri varieties via somatic embryogenesis using mature and immature cotyledons, on MS medium fortified with B5 vitamins, different concentration of 2,4,-D, 2,4,5-T and NAA in combination with BAP. The well formed embryos germinated into plantlets on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP and zeatin (0.5 - 2.0 mg/l). Regenerated plantlets were transferred to pots, but they did not survive. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 carrying a binary vector containing NPT-II gene as selectable marker and GUS as a reporter gene was used for transformation. Histochemical analysis for GUS gene expression was observed as a primary evidence for transformation.