Improvement of Water Stress Tolerance of Tuberous Begonia (<i>Begonia</i>×<i>tuberhybrida</i>) by <i>OsmiR393a </i>Gene Transformation

The genus Begonia is greatly affected by abiotic stresses, which lead to losses in greenhouse production and flower longevity. Obtaining more-tolerant plants a very important breeding goal ornamentals. To achieve tolerant Begonia×tuberhybrida, OsmiR393a, miRNA involved the tolerance of was introduced using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Explants were cultured on modified MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA, 0.5 IAA, 5 hygromycin for transgenic selection regeneration. Stable integration transgene verified putatively transformed PCR screening. When fresh longevity evaluated period from bloom wilting 3 petals, line 8 d longer than control. Furthermore, 15 days after stress treatment, petals control wilted, whereas lines remained. This results shows that expressing OsmiR393a could extend only without affecting type under water Begonia×tuberhybrida. In addition, displayed lower transpiration rate, higher proline content chlorophyll when subjected stress. These suggest may improve Begonia×tuberhybrida regulating different pathways response conditions miR393a conservatized between monocotyledon dicotyledon.