Molecular analysis and bioassay in transgenic alfalfa hay containing pest resistance gene (cry3A)

Stability and gene expression are very important in the plant transformation. In this research the transgenic alfalfa plants containing cry3Agen (resistant insect pests) from Bacillus turingiensis var. tenebrionis were analyzed. In This study, transgenic alfalfa that were grown in the regeneration medium MS without hormones, were transferred to pots, and the presence of transgen was confirmed by PCR and Sothern blot hybridization. Expression of the Cry3A protein in transgenic plants was also confirmed by using DAS ELISA kit. The bioassey analysis of transgenic plants for alfalfa weevil larvae showed that percentage of mortality of larvae in control plants were 13-30%, while in transgenic plants it was observed between 33-90%, that was statistically significant (α<0.01). Average of percentage of leaf damage in control plants were 67-85% while amount of leaf damage in transgenic plants significantly reduced to 18-21%. Average live weight of larvae in the control plants was 0.02 mg but in transgenic was 0.001 mg.