An Efficient Protocol for Transient Transformation of Intact Fruit and Transgene Expression in Citru

In this study, conditions were optimized for transient gene expression in Rough Lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.), a major rootstock used in the citrus growing regions of Pakistan. Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the binary vector p35GUSINT, containing NPT 1I and GUS genes, was used in the study. The transformation method was based on injection of Agrobacterium into Citrus fruits followed by histochemical assay of GUS activity in different tissues. Different tissues of mature fruits exhibited significantly different percentages of transient GUS expression: in rind (76%), spongy tissue (92%), juice vesicles (0%) and seeds (83%) (P