TRANSFORMATION OF LIQUIDAMBAR-STYRACIFLUA USING AGROBACTERIUM-TUMEFACIENS

We describe the molecular transformation of Liquidambar styraciflua using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A binary TI-plasmid vector containing a chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase gene which confers resistance to kanamycin and either a chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene, a chimeric E. coli beta-glucuronidase (GUS), or a chimeric tobacco anionic peroxidase gene was introduced into sweetgum by co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Sweetgum shoots regenerated in the presence of kanamycin were confirmed to be transformed by genomic DNA blots or the presence of GUS activity. The optimization of the transformation protocol and the incorporation of molecular transformation into a rapid germplasm improvement protocol are discussed.