Development of cotton transgenics with antisense AV2 gene for resistance against cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuD) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Cotton transgenics for resistance against cotton leaf curl disease using antisense movement protein gene (AV2) were developed in an Indian variety (F846) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the protocol developed previously. A binary vector pPZP carrying the antisense AV2 (350 bp) gene along with the nptII gene was used. Transgenic nature of the putative transgenics was confirmed by molecular analysis. Shoots were induced on selection medium and subcultured on rooting medium containing IBA and 75 mg l−1 kanamycin. Transgenic plants were recovered in 12–16 weeks from the time of gene transfer to establishment in pots. Preliminary analysis of the field-established plantlets was conducted by PCR. T1 plants were obtained from T0 seeds, the presence of the AV2 and nptIIgenes in the transgenic plants was verified by PCR and integration of T-DNA with AV2 into the plant genome of putative transgenics was further confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Several T1 lines were maintained in the greenhouse. Progeny analysis of these plants by PCR analysis showed a classical Mendelian pattern of inheritance.