Ornamental traits modification by rol genes in Osteospermum ecklonis transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Transgenic plants of Osteospermum ecklonis were produced by cocultivation o f leaf fragments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring rol genes from A. rhizogenes. The phenotypic alterations caused by the different transgenes were evaluated in field trials. The genetic manipulation produced transgeni c plants characterized by the following features: 1) increased number of fl owers (e.g., 35SrolC and rolABC); 2) early flowering (e.g., 35SrolC); 3) ch ange of plant growth habit: erect (rolAB, rolABC and 35SrolC with an increa sed number of branches (e.g., rolABC). The color of leaves was pale green i n 35SrolC and dark green in rolAB transgenic plants. In conclusion this wor k reports: 1) genetic engineering of the ornamental species O. ecklonis, 2) modification of the main ornamental traits of this species by rol genes, a nd 3) segregation of the transgenes in the progeny.