Determination of some conditions for hairy root induction in soybean by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

This study was conducted to determine some conditions for transformation via Agrobacterium rhizogenes on soybean cultivars HLDN29 and DT84. Cotyledon explants were more efficient in hairy root induction compared with hypocotyl explants in both cultivars of soybean. The highest root induction rate and average root number were observed in HLDN29 explants infected with ATCC11325 and ATCC15834 strains (approx. 96% - 100% and 8 roots per explant) and in DT84 explants infected with ATCC15834. Six to eight day - old cotyledonary leaves after sowing were optimal and appropriate for hairy root induction. Direct inoculation and immersion methods showed no significant difference in root induction rate and average root number in both HLDN29 and DT84 cultivars. Transgenic root lines were identified based on PCR analysis with virD and rolC sequences - specific primers.