Expression of radish defensin (RsAFP2) gene in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) confers resistance to Fusarium wilt disease

Abstract Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major nutritional source cultivated worldwide. Chickpea is vulnerable to several abiotic and biotic stresses, including different types of soil-borne pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, which causes root rot disease and severely affects productivity. The putative transgenic plants were obtained with the Radish defensin (Rs-AFP2) gene through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation using the embryo axis explants. Transgenes were confirmed in 18 putative transgenic plants with PCR-specific primers for nptII and Rs-AFP2 genes. Twelve transgenic plants were established successfully under greenhouse conditions. The T0 plants were allowed for self-pollination and obtained T1 seeds. The T1 plants were selected for Fusarium wilt assay using Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. The T1 plants showed different resistance levels, from moderate to high levels. The control plants (wild-type) exhibited severe wilt symptoms after Fusarium infection.