Optimization of different factors for an Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system using embryo axis explants of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

In this study, we developed a reliable and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system by applying sonication and vacuum infiltration to six chickpea cultivars (ICCV2, ICCV10, ICCV92944, ICCV37, JAKI9218, and JG11) using embryo axis explants. Wounded explants were precultured for 3 days in shoot induction medium (SIM) before sonication and vacuum infiltration with an Agrobacterium suspension and co-cultivated for 3 days in co-cultivation medium containing 100 μM/l of acetosyringone and 200 mg/l of L-cysteine. Responsive explants with putatively transformed shoots were selected using a gradual increase in kanamycin from 25 mg/l to 100 mg/l in selection medium to eliminate escapes. Results showed optimal transformation efficiency at a bacterial density of 1.0, an optical density at 600 nm wavelength (OD600), and an infection duration of 30 min. The presence and stable integration of the β-glucuronidase (gusA) gene into the chickpea genome were confirmed using GUS histochemical assay and polymerase chain reaction. A high transformation efficiency was achieved among the different factors tested using embryo axis explants of cv. JAKI 9218. Of the six chickpea cultivars tested, JAKI9218 showed the highest transformation efficiency of 8.6%, followed by JG11 (7.2%), ICCV92944 (6.8%), ICCV37 (5.4%), ICCV2 (4.8%), and ICCV10 (4.6%). These findings showed that the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system will help transfer novel candidate genes into chickpea.