Plant Biotechnology & Agriculture

Rice is an important staple food for more than two billion people worldwide. Huge losses occur due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Submergence due to flash floods or heavy rains is a major abiotic stress affecting productivity of rice in low-lying areas. In northeast region of India well known for major genetic diversity of rice, several varieties are submergent tolerant for long periods. There are at least two different mechanisms involved in the submergence tolerance in rice, one mediated by Snorkel pathway and the other by Sub1 pathways. In order to characterize the functional role of each of the gene(s) involved in the submergence tolerance in these pathways, efficient transformation methods are needed for these genotypes. Here we present data on efficient transformation of two deep-water rice of North-East region of India namely Taothabi and Khongan. Transgenic rice plants that can be grown in the

greenhouse were obtained in 35-45 days starting from the callus induction and co-cultivation by Agrobacterium. Molecular analysis confirmed stable integration and expression of reporter GUS gene. In addition to over express or down regulate genes involved in submergence tolerance, the methods developed will accelerate the functional validation of candidate genes identified through genomics studies.