Introduction of the rolC gene into the genome of the Japanese persimmon causes dwarfism

The rolC gene from Agrobacterium rhizogenes was introduced into a seedling of the Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) 'Saijo' genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Integration of the rolC gene into the genome was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Northern blot analysis revealed that the transgene was transcribed in the transgenic persimmon. The transformed plant (PC1) had shorter internodes and smaller leaves and produced more branches than the regenerated plants from the open-pollinated 'Saijo' seedlings. These results show the potential use of the rolC gene to produce dwarf Japanese persimmon plants.