Aseptic germination and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin

Abstract

Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin, also known as Russian dandelion, is the most promising source of natural rubber in the temperate climate zone. As the roots of Russian dandelion accumulate rubber, it is of great interest to develop methods to produce hairy roots and to transfer target genes to improve its genome. We studied the aseptic germination of T. kok-saghyz seeds, using different sterilizing agents and their influence on contamination and germination rate. Sterile T. kok-saghyz plants were used for Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. T. kok-saghyz hairy roots developed on hormone-free half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. The A4 strain of A. rhizogenes demonstrated higher efficiency than the 15834 strain. Transformation was confirmed by PCR and histochemical GUS analysis. Transgenic plants of kok-saghyz, containing the reporter GUS gene, spontaneously regenerated from dissected hairy roots.