We have established an efficient genetic transformation system for creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) using particle bombardment. The transformation was performed using the plasmid pZO1052 which contains the reporter β-glucuronidase (uidA) gene and the selectable marker hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene. Transformed calli and plants were obtained via particle bombardment followed by selection of transformants on medium containing 200 mg/l of hygromycin. An average of 4.6 resistant colonies per bombardment were obtained. Southern analysis confirmed the integration of foreign genes in 19 of 21 putative transformants, indicating that selection by hygromycin was highly effective.
Keywords: Key wordsAgrostis palustris Huds.; Particle bombardment; Stable transformation; Turfgrass.