THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATION ON AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS-MEDIATED GENE TRANSFER IN DURUM WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM DESF.)

Abstract

The current study aimed to develop a new Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol for wheat by using Cobalt 60 (Co-60) originated gamma radiation. Mature embryos of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivar 'Cakmak 79' were irradiated by Cobalt-60 originated gamma rays at 0 (control), 20, 40, 60 and 80 Gy (Gray) doses. Then mature embryos were inoculated in 50 ml sterile distilled water having 50 mu l bacterial solution of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV2260 carrying p35S GUS-INT plasmid for 24 h in a rotary shaker at 180 rpm. In all the examined characteristics, the highest results were obtained from the embryos to which 80 Gy gamma dose was applied. From the results of the research, in the gene transformation to wheat through Agrobacterium tumefaciens, it was observed that 80 Gy gamma dose significantly increased the transgenic plant frequency compared to control implementation on which no gamma was used.