Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Transgenic watermelon rootstock resistant to CGMMV (cucumber green mottle mosaic virus) infection

  • Genetic Transformation and Hybridization
  • Published:
Plant Cell Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In watermelon, grafting of seedlings to rootstocks is necessary because watermelon roots are less viable than the rootstock. Moreover, commercially important watermelon varieties require disease-resistant rootstocks to reduce total watermelon yield losses due to infection with viruses such as cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Therefore, we undertook to develop a CGMMV-resistant watermelon rootstock using a cDNA encoding the CGMMV coat protein gene (CGMMV-CP), and successfully transformed a watermelon rootstock named ‘gongdae’. The transformation rate was as low as 0.1–0.3%, depending on the transformation method used (ordinary co-culture vs injection, respectively). However, watermelon transformation was reproducibly and reliably achieved using these two methods. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the CGMMV-CP gene was inserted into different locations in the genome either singly or multiple copies. Resistance testing against CGMMV showed that 10 plants among 140 T1 plants were resistant to CGMMV infection. This is the first report of the development by genetic engineering of watermelons resistant to CGMMV infection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1A–D
Fig. 2A–D
Fig. 3a,b
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen WS, Chiu CC, Liu HY, Lee TL, Cheng JT, Lin CC, Wu YJ, Chang HY (1998) Gene transfer via pollen-tube pathway for anti-fusarium wilt in watermelon. Biochem Mol Biol Int 46:1201–1209

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Choi GS (2001) Occurrence of two Tobamovirus diseases on cucurbits and control measures in Korea. Plant Pathol J 17:243–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi PS, Soh WY, Kim YS, Yoo OJ, Liu JR (1994) Genetic transformation and plant regeneration of watermelon using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant Cell Rep 13:344–348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chomczynski N, Sacchi N (1987) Single step method of RNA isolation by acid guanidinium thiocyanate phenol-chloroform extraction. Anal Biochem 161:156–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Church GM, Gilbert W (1984) Genomic sequencing. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81:1991–1995

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellul P, Rios G, Atrarés A, Roig LA, Serrano R, Moreno V (2003) The expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HAL1 gene increases salt tolerance in transgenic watermelon [Citrullus lanatus(Thunb.) Matsun. & Nakai.]. Theor Appl Genet 107:62–469

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hiei Y, Ohta S, Komari T, Kumashiro T (1994) Efficient transformation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) mediated by Agrobacterium and sequence analysis of the boundaries of the T-DNA. Plant J 6:271–282

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kusano M, Tohyama K, Bae CH, Riu KZ, Lee HY (2003) Plant regeneration and transformation of Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) via the plant tissue culture. Kor J Plant Biotechnol 30:115–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee GP, Min BE, Kim CS, Choi SH, Harn CH, Kim SU, Ryu KH (2003) Plant virus cDNA chip hybridization for detection and differentiation of four cucurbit-infecting Tobamoviruses. J Virol Methods 110:19–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee KY (1996) Current occurrence and control of CGMMV ‘Konjak’ disease. Plant Dis Agric 2:38–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee KY, Lee BC, Park HC (1990) Occurrence of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus disease of watermelon in Korea. Korean J Plant Pathol 6:250–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee YH, Kim HS, Kim JY, Jung M, Park YS, Lee JS, Choi SH, Her NH, Lee JH, Hyung NI, Lee CH, Yang SG, Harn CH (2004) A new selection method for pepper transformation: callus-mediated shoot formation. Plant Cell Rep 23:50–58

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murashige T, Skoog F (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassay with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol Plant 5:473–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Rashid H, Yokoi K, Toriyama K, Hinata K (1996) Transgenic plant production mediated by Agrobacterium in Indica rice. Plant Cell Rep 15:727–730

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sambrook J, Fritsch EF, Maniatis T (1989) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, 2nd edn. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shin R, Park JM, An JM, Paek KH (2002) Ectopic expression of Tsi1 in transgenic hot pepper plants enhances host resistance to viral, bacterial, and oomycete pathogens. Mol Plant Microb Interact 15:983–989

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants to C.H. Harn from the Biogreen 21 research fund of the Rural Development of Administration and from the ARPC research fund of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Korea. We also thank H. S. Kim (Nong Woo Bio Co.) and Dr. N. I. Hyung (Sangmyung University) for their technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology Center, Nong Woo Bio, Jeongdan, Ganam, Yeoju, Gyeonggi, 469-884, Korea

    Sang Mi Park, Jung Suk Lee, Sung Jegal, Bo Young Jeon, Min Jung, Yoon Sik Park, Sang Lyul Han, Yoon Sup Shin, Nam Han Her, Jang Ha Lee, Seung Gyun Yang & Chee Hark Harn

  2. Department of Environmental and Life Science, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul, 139-774, Korea

    Mi Yeon Lee & Ki Hyun Ryu

Authors
  1. Sang Mi Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jung Suk Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sung Jegal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bo Young Jeon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Min Jung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yoon Sik Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sang Lyul Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Yoon Sup Shin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Nam Han Her
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jang Ha Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Mi Yeon Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Ki Hyun Ryu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Seung Gyun Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Chee Hark Harn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chee Hark Harn.

Additional information

Communicated by I.S. Chung

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Park, S., Lee, J., Jegal, S. et al. Transgenic watermelon rootstock resistant to CGMMV (cucumber green mottle mosaic virus) infection. Plant Cell Rep 24, 350–356 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-005-0946-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-005-0946-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation