ATIACHMENT STUDY OF AGROBACTERlUM TUMEFACIENS TO TEF [ERAGROSTIS TEF (ZUCC.) TROTIER], YAM SPP., AND TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACCUM L.) EXPLANT

Abstract

Agrobacterium tumefociens attachment as a factor in
transformation was investigated in tef (Eragrostis tej) zygotic embryos,
seeds, seedlings, leaf bases and embryogenic callus; leaf discs of yam
species (Dioscorea bulbifera, Diosrorea azynensis and Dioscorea alata); and leaf discs of tobacco (Nicotina tabaccum). Cocultivation was made with A1030(pCOPA10), AI030(pEB122), A1030(pTBIOS), AI030(pIB422),
AI030(virA:TnS) and A281(PTi80542). Attachment and fibrils were
observed associated in all strains, species, plants and explant used.
Even though attachment is observed in intact and wounded plants,
preferential attachment was observed around the wound area of
explants. ~ni£ormity with bacteria binding was obtained with
acetOsyringone treatment. The strains used equally bound to tef and
yam in the same way as they did to tobacco which was a positive
control. Thus, tef and yam, like that of tobacco fit all the criteria for
Agrobacterium attachment.