Agrobacterium-mediated Genetic Transformation of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) with Chitinase Gene followed by In vitro Flower and Pod Formation

To investigate the integration of chitinase gene in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) namely, BARI masur-4 (BM-4), BARI masur-5 (BM-5) and BARI masur-6 (BM-6) through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was performed using Agrobacterium strain EHA 105 harboring bar (resistant to phosphinotrycin) and chitinase (gene of interest) gene. Selection of transformed shoots was carried out by gradually increasing the concentration of phosphinotrycin (PPT) up to 2.0 mg/l. Transgenic lentil shoots were produced with an overall frequency of 0.36 in case of BM-4 and BM-6 and 0.34 in case of BM-5, respectively. Most of the selected shoots developed in vitro flowers and pods following their sub-culture on half strength of MS supplemented with 20 mg/l IBA, 0.5 mg/l NAA with 50 mg/l ticarcillin. Seedlings germinated from the seeds were successfully transferred to soil for the development of further progeny. Stable integration of target gene was confirmed through PCR analysis