Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
Sonal Kambale, Bhagyashree Bahatkar, Santosh Gahukar, Amrapali Akhare and Abhilasha Kharkar

Abstract:
Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] is the major grain legumes of the semi-arid tropics. Its production and productivity are constrained by several diseases and pests but the major pest attacking Pigeonpea is Helicoverpa armigera which is highly susceptible to the insecticidal proteins of Bacillus thurengenesis (Bt). A codon-optimized chimeric Cry1Aabc gene of Bt, driven by a constitutive promoter was introduced in pigeonpea (PKV Tara) by in-planta and in-vitro Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation. In present investigation confirmation of putative transformants using gene specific marker and detached leaf, an assay was carried out. Out of 73 plants tested, 4 plants were confirmed to be PCR positive using Cry1Aabc and nptII gene specific markers. For detached leaf bioassay with neonate larvae of H. armigera, 4 plants which were confirmed through PCR amplification with gene specific markers were used. The results of leaf detached bioassay showed significant level of Cry protein expressed in positive plants which were able to reduce the weight of larvae and leaf damage. The positive plants selected for the study show potential for providing tolerance against H. armigera.