ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO Aspergillus flavus IN TRANSGENIC PEANUT HAVING RICE CHITINASE RCG3 GENE

The herbicide resistance (bar) and rice chitinase (rcg3) genes were incorporated in the commonly cultivated varieties of peanut (BARD-479 and Golden) through Agrobacterium mediated transformation. The role of genetically transformed peanut in controlling aflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus flavus was investigated by HPLC and TLC methods. In case of detection by HPLC the herbicide resistance bar gene had no affect on the aflatoxin content and the aflatoxin B1 found in non transgenic seeds was also present in the transgenic seeds. Transgenic seeds having rcg3 gene controlled the contamination of aflatoxin B1 that appeared in the non transgenic counter parts of the same variety. Whereas in case of aflatoxin determined by TLC method the plants having rcg3 gene also showed the control of Aspergillus flavus in mature peanut seeds.