Transformation of 'Beurre Bosc' pear with the rolC gene

'Beurre Bosc' pear (Pyrus communis L.) was transformed with Agrobacterium t umefaciens (E.F. Smith & Townsend) Conn strain EHA101 containing the binary vector pGA-GUSGF into which the rolC gene had been inserted. Leaf explants from in vitro shoot tip cultures were wounded, Agrobacterium-inoculated, a nd cultured on kanamycin selection medium. Regenerating shoots were transfe rred to proliferation medium without antibiotics, Three clones tested posit ive for GUS and nptII enzyme activity. Transformation with the rolC gene wa s confirmed by DNA, RNA, and protein blot analyses. The number of copies of the rolC transgene varied from one to three. Plantlets of the three transg enic clones were acclimated and transferred to the greenhouse. Preliminary observations of phenotype indicate that the rolC gene reduced height, numbe r of nodes, and leaf area of transgenic 'Beurre Bosc'.