Arginine decarboxylase transgene expression and analysis of environmental stress tolerance in transgenic rice

Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) cDNA from oat (Avena sativa L.) was introduced into rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome by an Agrobacterium-mediated transforma tion method. Expression of the ADC transgene under the control of an ABA-in ducible promoter led to stress-induced upregulation of ADC activity and pol yamine accumulation in transgenic rice plants. Second-generation (R1) trans genic rice plants showed an increase in biomass under salinity-stress condi tions, as compared to the non-transformed control plants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.