Modification of plant architecture in Limonium spp. induced by rol genes

An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for Limonium has been devel oped. The leaf explants of the sterile hybrid L116 (Limonium otolepis, Kunt ze x Limonium latifolium, Kuntze) were inoculated with A. tumefaciens LBA44 04 harboring the binary vector pBin19 containing a T-DNA fragment encompass ing rol A,B and C genes of A. rhizogenes Ri plasmid (pRi1855). Transgenic s hoots, regenerated on selection medium, were micropropagated, rooted, and t ransferred to soil. Southern analysis confirmed the insertion of rol genes into the plant genome. Three transgenic clones were selected and based on t heir phenotypic characteristics were named super-compact, compact and semi- compact types. In general the transformed plants showed ornamental traits s uch as dwarfness and early flowering which are highly desirable.