The use of the DNA marker to legally protect the newly released ornamental plant species

The gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) is applied as a DNA marker to Populus tremula erecta Swedish Columnar Aspen (SCA) and Philadelphus 'Starbright', using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in this study. Efficient regeneration system was established for SCA, which was successfully used to transform the gfp gene at a relatively low rate. The green fluorescence of the GFP was detected only in the youngest bud scales and the newly growing roots of the transformed SCA at tissue culture stage and in the youngest bud scales, buds and roots at growth chamber stage. Four out of five SCA transformants were normal in morphology by comparing with the wild-type plants. For 'Starbright', the regeneration method was established. However, its transformation using the gfp gene was not successful based on the protocols tested.