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ROLC strawberry plant adaptability, productivity, and tolerance to soil-borne disease and mycorrhizal interactions

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Abstract

The potential to improve strawberry cultivation was assessed regarding the use the rolC genes from Agrobacterium rhizogenes that can confer higher levels of free cytokinins. Strawberry (cv. Calypso) rolC lines were produced by genetic transformation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Yield and fruit quality of the control and transgenic lines were measured under open-field conditions. The effects of the transgenic rolC lines depended on gene copy number: rolC lines with one (Line A) or two gene (Line B) copies showed 30% greater yields than controls, due to 20% more fruit per plant and an increased fruit weight. Line A also differed in terms of the highest fruit quality, due to 10.5% increased soluble solids and 12.7% higher acidity. Moreover, cv. Calypso rolC lines A and B had increased tolerance to greenhouse infection by Phytophthora cactorum. Conversely, for all of these characters, Line F (five rolC copies) was not significantly different from the control line. The same lines were also used to examine their symbiosis with root arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) using vital and non-vital staining of roots collected at different stages of plant growth. Control and rolC plants showed similar intensities of AMF infection according to plant phenology and/or physiology. Furthermore, possible horizontal gene transfer of the rolC gene was tested for the AMF spores by PCR, with all AMF samples negative using rolC primers. The use of the rolC gene should be considered for the improvements provided in productivity, fruit quality and disease resistance of cultivated strawberry that show no effects on soil microorganisms.

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Financial source

The field trials were carried out following a protocol approved by CIV—National Biotechnology Commission—Italian Minister of Health. This work was supported by the FIRB project RBAUOIJTHS of the MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research).

Author contributions

B.M. first conceived the idea of testing the rolC gene in strawberry. L.L., F.C. and B.M designed the field experimental trial and defined the evaluation parameters. E.C. and F.C. followed the field trial and collected the field data. L.L. and E.C. performed the AMF analysis. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript, which was written by B.M and L.L.

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  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy

    L. Landi, F. Capocasa, E. Costantini & B. Mezzetti

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  1. L. Landi
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  2. F. Capocasa
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  3. E. Costantini
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  4. B. Mezzetti
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Correspondence to B. Mezzetti.

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Landi, L., Capocasa, F., Costantini, E. et al. ROLC strawberry plant adaptability, productivity, and tolerance to soil-borne disease and mycorrhizal interactions. Transgenic Res 18, 933–942 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-009-9279-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-009-9279-7

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