INTRODUCTION OF HYGROMYCIN RESISTANCE IN LOTUS SPP THROUGH AGROBACTERIUM-RHIZOGENES TRANSFORMATION

The species Lotus corniculatus and L. tenuis were transformed with an Agrobacterium rhizogenes binary vector, conferring resistance to the a ntibiotic hygromycin. Transgenic plants recovered from both species we re tested for the ability of leaf-derived calluses to grow in a hygrom ycin-supplemented medium. Molecular analysis showed the integration of the RiT-DNA and of the gene for hygromycin resistance, with a high fr equency of co-transformation. Progeny analysis of the hygromycin resis tance indicated this to be a single Mendelian trait in test plants. Th e transformed plants will be utilized in somatic hybridization experim ents with lucerne for producing non-bloating genotypes with condensed tannins in leaves.