Production of phenolic compounds in hairy roots culture of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes hairy root disease in plants. The hairy roots produced by A. rhizogenes infection are characterized by high growth rate and genetic stability. Hairy root induction cause changes in plant Secondary metabolites production. Phenolic compounds (Flavonoids, Tannins and Anthocyanins) are important antioxidants in radish. In this work, for induction of hairy roots, leaf explants transformed with two Arhizogenes strains (A4 and GUS). Generated Hairy roots confirmed with PCR. Also, Phenolic compounds content in hairy roots was measured. Amplification of 780bp fragment for rolB and 320bp for GUS in transgenic roots confirmed the production of hairy roots. Difference of Phenolic compounds between transgenic and non-transgenic roots was significant. Our results indicate that the insertion of A. rhizogenes T-DNA in to the plant genome stimulate plant defense responses and increase the production of Phenolic compounds.