Transformation of rol genes to squash (Cucurbita pepo) plant by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Squash, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family is an annual vegetable. In this research the rol (ABCD) genes causing dwarfism, were transformed via AATCC15834 strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes to the commercial squash variety Tempra. For transformation, seeds of squash Tempra were germinated in in vitro and the cotiledons of these seeds were used as explants. The hairy root formation of the explants were observed afterwards. Samples were taken from the potential transgenic hairy roots to confirm transformation of Rol genes. DNA isolation and PCR analysis were performed in hairy roots. Based on the PCR results, whole samples used for transformation identified as transgenic and the role genes were transformed succesfully to the roots of plants.