Transformation of Iranian Melon for Increasing Resistance to Fungal Diseases

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the most important horticultural crops that fungal diseases are one of factors limiting its production. So, resistant cultivars have particular importance. Chitinase and β-Glucanase are well-known enzymes for increasing plant resistance to fungal pathogens. Thereby, transformation of Khatooni cultivar as the most important melon in Iran was carried out. Gene constructs consisting of the chitinase, β-1, 3 Glucanase, a selector gene (ntpII) and cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter were transferred by Agrobacterium. Transgenic plants were regenerated from medium containing kanamycin (25mg/l) cefotaxime (300mg/l) and BAP (1mg/l). The presences of gene constructs were proved by PCR using specific primers. In this study, the efficacy of transgenic shoots in Khatooni cultivar was 2.7 percent.