Genetic transformation of Ficus lyrata Warb. with PSAG12-ipt gene (Spanish text)

A reproducible Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation protocol was developed for Ficus lyrata Warb. Transgenic plant production frequency was higher using: (i) pre-culture of leaf explants in FI medium during 48 hours; (ii) 2 minutes explant immersion in liquid inoculation medium with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 strain; (iii) 24 to 72 hours co-cultivation in darkness; (iv) explant regeneration in FI medium with a selective pressure (100 mg/l kanamycin) applied 48 hours after coculture; (v) shoot development in FII medium plus 100 mg/1 kanamycin; (vi) rooting transgenic shoots in IA0,5 medium plus 100 mg/l kanamycin. The transformants were confirmed by PCR, rooting on selective medium and X-gluc histochemical test. The expression of the pSAG12-ipt transgene caused some morphological alterations which ranged from slight to severe in their intensity. Besides, a wide range of delayed senescence, and drought and salinity stress tolerance phenotypes were observed. That we know, this is the first report of a protocol for obtaining transgenic plants from F. lyrata.