Transfer of rolABCD genes in some citrus rootstock through Agrobacterium rhisogenes

Citrus species are one the most widely grown fruit group. Despite substantial genetic diversity, the genus Citrus includes species that are difficult to breed. Gene transferring is an important experimental tool in plant genetics. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation an effective and universal tool for transferring of target gene to plant species. To improve dwarf rootstock is one of the most important subject in plant breeding. It is among the most important breeding objectives to make dwarf citrus rootstock. In the present thesis, transformation experiments were performed using A. rhizogenes strain ATCC 15834 including rol genes in Citrus. Thus, it is aimed to obtain dwarf rootstocks for citrus. Tuzcu 31-31 sour orange, Gou Tou sour orange, Carrizo citrange, Tuzcu Cleopatra mandarin, Troyer citrange, Volkameriana, Rough lemon, Trifoliata orange rootstocks were used as plant materials. Hypocotyl, cotyledon, internodal stem and leaf explants were used as explant sources. The presence of rol genes in the putative transformed plants was confirmed by PCR analysis. According to molecular analysis, 13 clons containing rol genes were determined in Troyer citrange and they were rooted in in vitro conditions, then they acclimatized successfuly.