Overexpression of the phytochrome B gene from Arabidopsis thaliana increases plant growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

• Published in: Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 326 - 334
• Main Authors: Rao, Abdul Qayyum, Irfan, Muhammad, Saleem, Zafar, Nasir, Idrees Ahmad, Riazuddin, Sheikh, Husnain, Tayyab
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg SP Zhejiang University Press 01-04-2011; Springer Nature B.V; Zhejiang University Press
• Subjects: Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Agrobacterium tumefaciens - genetics; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; Arabidopsis thaliana; Assimilation; Base Sequence; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Conductance; Cotton; DNA, Plant - genetics; Dominance; Gene Expression; Genes; Genes, Plant; Gossypium - genetics; Gossypium - growth & development; Gossypium - metabolism; Gossypium hirsutum; Greenhouses; Phenotype; Photosynthesis; Phytochrome B - genetics; Phytochrome B - metabolism; Plant Transpiration; Plants, Genetically Modified; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA, Plant - genetics; RNA, Plant - metabolism; Transformation, Genetic; Transgenic; Transpiration; Transformation; Yield; Overexpression; Plant growth; Phytochrome B; Q943.2
• ISSN: 1673-1581; 1862-1783
• DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B1000168

The phytochrome B (
PHYB
) gene of
Arabidopsis thaliana
was introduced into cotton through
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
. Integration and expression of
PHYB
gene in cotton plants were confirmed by molecular evidence. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in one of the transgenic lines, QCC11, was much higher than those of control and other transgenic lines. Transgenic cotton plants showed more than a two-fold increase in photosynthetic rate and more than a four-fold increase in transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. The increase in photosynthetic rate led to a 46% increase in relative growth rate and an 18% increase in net assimilation rate. Data recorded up to two generations, both in the greenhouse and in the field, revealed that overexpression of
Arabidopsis thaliana PHYB
gene in transgenic cotton plants resulted in an increase in the production of cotton by improving the cotton plant growth, with 35% more yield. Moreover, the presence of the
Arabidopsis thaliana PHYB
gene caused pleiotropic effects like semi-dwarfism, decrease in apical dominance, and increase in boll size.