GENETIC TRANSFORMATION OF MUSK-MELON BY AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS

Transgenic musk-melon plants (Cucumis melo L.) were successfully obtained from proximal cotyledons inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, strain GV2260 harbouring an intron containing GUS gene (GUSINT) and an npt II selectable marker gene. Several physical and chemical factors were tested in this study to optimise the stable integration of genes into the muskmelon cv. Birdie genome. A 10 minutes co-cultivation period induced shoots from significant numbers of musk-melon explants compared to 20 minutes or 60 minutes co-cultivation period. Feeder cells and acetosyringone enhanced the efficiency of GUS expression in regenerated musk-melon plants. Genetic analysis of DNA isolated from GUS positive plants derived from proximal cotyledon explants co-cultivated with Agrobacterium containing 40 µM of acetosyringone confirmed the stable integration of the GUSINT gene in the musk-melon plants. This analysis showed that a 10 minutes co-cultivation period and acetosyringone at 40 µM are optimal for the production of transformed musk-melon cv. Birdie plants. No transgenic plants could be regenerated from petiole explants.