Genetic transformation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) by particle bombardment

Abstract

Microprojectile bombardment was used to introduce DNA into embryogenic callus of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and produce stably transformed garlic plants. Embryogenic calluses, derived from garlic cultivar 'GT96-1', were bombarded with plasmid DNA containing genes coding for hygromycin phosphotransferase and β-glucuronidase. Putatively transformed calluses were identified in the bombarded tissue after 4 months of selection on 20 mg·L-1 hygromycin B. The transgenic nature of the selected material was demonstrated by GUS histochemical assay and Southern blot hybridization analysis, and twenty transgenic plants were regenerated.