FACTORS INFLUENCING T-DNA TRANSFER IN AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF SUGAR-BEET

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) was investigated for T-DNA transfer efficiency, using an intron containing beta-glucuronidase gene. Preculture and coculture of hypocotyl and cotyledon explants with acetosyringone upon infection was studied. Seven seed lots which included several hundred genotypes, were screened, and were all susceptible to T-DNA transfer but with variable frequencies. Cotyledon explants were more readily transformed than those from hypocotyls. Transformation frequency of hypocotyl explants increased with acetosyringone. Both preculture treatment and acetosyringone improved transformation in cotyledon explants. Callus assayed with fluorometric procedures confirmed that the GUS gene had been transferred into sugarbeet.