STRAIN AND VECTOR SPECIFICITY IN AGROBACTERIUM BLACK PEPPER INTERACTION

Abstract

Two Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector strains LBA 4404 and EHA 105, both with pGA and a new co·integrate vector (PGV 2260· PGSFR 280) were used for transformation of black pepper. Coryledons of 3·4 month old 'Karimunda' variety seedlings were the explant. Infected explants were grown in MS selection media containing 5.0 µg ml¯ˡ kanamycin and 500 )µg¯ˡ carbencillin in case of the binary vectors and 50 µg ml¯ˡ. kanamycin, 500 µg¯ˡ carbencillin and 250 µg ml¯ˡ cefotaxime in case of the co· integrate vector. Twenty per cent primary transformants each could be obtained in case of the binary vectors whereas no appreciable 'transformation' could be obtained in case of the co-integrate vector. 'Transformation' was confirmed by phenotypic assay only.