Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage legumes in the world. It has been demanded to establish the efficient transformation system in commercial varieties of alfalfa for forage molecular breeding and production of varieties possessing new characteristics. To approach this, genetic transformation techniques have been developed and modified. This work was performed to establish conditions for effective transformation of commercial alfalfa cultivars, Xinjiang Daye, ABT405, Vernal, Wintergreen and Alfagraze. GUS gene was used as a transgene and cotyledon and hypocotyl as a source of explants. Transformation efficiencies differed from 0 to 7.9% among alfalfa cultivars. Highest transformation efficiencies were observed in the cultivar Xinjiang Daye. The integration and expression of the transgenes in the transformed alfalfa plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histochemical GUS assay. These data demonstrate highly efficient Agrobacterium transformation of diverse alfalfa cultivars Xinjiang Daye, which enables routine production of transgenic alfalfa plants.

• Lee, Sang-Hoon(Grassland & Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration)
• Kim, Ki-Yong( Grassland & Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration) | Kim, Ki-Yong
• Park, Hyung Soo( Grassland & Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration) | Park, Hyung Soo
• Cha, Joon-Yung( Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Gyeongsang National University) | Cha, Joon-Yung
• Lee, Ki-Won( Grassland & Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration) | Lee, Ki-Won