An efficient root transformation system for recalcitrantVicia sativa

Common vetch ( Vicia sativa ) is a multi-purpose legume widely used in pasture and crop rotation systems. Vetch seeds have desirable nutritional characteristics and are often used to feed ruminant animals. Although transcriptomes are available for vetch, problems with genetic transformation and plant regeneration hinder functional gene studies in this legume species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an efficient and rapid hairy root transformation system for common vetch to facilitate functional gene analysis. We infected the hypocotyls of five-day old in vitro or in vivo, soil grown, seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and produced transformed hairy roots 28 days later at 24% and 43% efficiency, respectively. Seventy-nine percent of the hairy roots from the in vitro plants showed stable expression of a co-transformed marker β-glucuronidase (GUS). In summary, transgenic hairy roots were obtained within 28 days, and are sufficient to facilitate functional gene analysis in common vetch.