Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: regeneration of transformed shoots via a callus phase

Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been achieved using an A. tumefaciens strain carrying a non-oncogenic Ti plasmid-derived vector containing a chimaeric npt-II gene and a wild type nopaline synthase gene. Fertile, transformed shoots were most easily obtained from Km(r) callus developing on hypocotyl sections. The totipotency of the Km(r) callus was dependent upon its origin. T-DNA was visualised by Southern blotting in all Km(r) tissues. Efficient expression of nopaline synthase and the chimaeric npt-II gene was found in transformed Km(r) callus and regenerated shoots.