Transformation of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Transgenic hairy roots were induced from leaf, petiole, and shoot explants of in vitro-raised plantlets of potted Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. 'Cassiopeia Wind Yellow' plants after co-cultivation with three different wild-type strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The highest infection rate (56.4%) was obtained in explants inoculated with A. rhizogenes strain ATCC43057, followed by ATCC15834 (44.0%), and NCPPB8196 (34.4%). The highest infection rate (60.5%) was obtained using leaf basal segments, followed by petioles (44.0%), leaf tips (40.0%), and shoots (20%). A total of 102 putative transgenic root lines were produced. The hairy root lines did not grow without applying 0.2 mg l(-1) indole-3-butryric acid (IBA) and 0.2 mg l(-1) alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The presence of T-DNA was confirmed in six hairy root lines, and no A. rhizogenes contamination was detected by polymerase chain reaction.