Molecular characterization of transgenic tomato (lycopersicum esculentum) for cold tolerance

Abstract

Cold stress is the main factor underlying the reduction in productivity of tomato. This study was carried out at National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Islamabad during the year 2018-2019. The research was aimed to focus on the confirmation of presence of cold tolerance gene DREB1A and transgene expression in T5 generation of and impact of transgene in different genetic backgrounds of tomato lines. The five transgenic cold tolerant tomato lines and three non- transgenic lines were chosen for recognition and corroboration of transgene, previously developed by genetic transformation with a construct containing DREB1A gene energetic by the stress inducible promoter lip-9. Transformation of T4 generation were identified by PCR and were self- pollinated to generate T5 progeny. The confirmed transgenes were used to estimate different morphological traits such as plant height, fruit size, no. of fruit per plant and no. of seeds per fruit, shelf life and compared with non-transgenic plants. The results indicated that T5 generations lines carrying DREB1A gene and it express successfully in promising T5 generations lines. By using CRD design non-significant differences were found between transgenes and non-transgenic plants for all the character except shelf life demonstrating that shelf life was improved in transgenic lines providing resistance against cold tolerance. The results suggested that these transgenic lines can be used as a source for emerging cold tolerant nearly isogenic lines through backcross breeding program in future.