Environ Exp Biol (2015) 13: 19–23

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation of Psammosilene tunicoides and identification of high saponin-yielding clones

Abstract

Psammosilene tunicoides (WC Wu et CY Wu), a medicinal plant, was transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC15834, resulting in development of hairy roots from the cut surface of leaves. In total, 36 hairy root clones demonstrating prolific rooting and ageotropism were isolated. Hairy roots from all 36 clones were cultured in B₅ liquid medium. Each clone had a different saponin content. Among the 36 clones, highest saponin content of 0.7‰ was observed in A-23. PCR confirmed that rolB and rolC genes of the Ri plasmid of A. rhizogenes had been transferred and expressed successfully in the hairy roots of P. tunicoides A-23.