Phenotypic Expression in Catharanthus roseus Explants Inoculated with Agrobacterium Strains Locally Isolated

Abstract

Agrobacterium species were isolated from local soil in Jadirrya, Baghdad, Iraq, twenty one strains were isolated, most of them were identified as Agrobacterium rhizogen . All the isolated strains show the ability to production catalase, peroxidase and H₂S, salt tolerance for NaCl (2%). Most isolated strains were confirmed as biovair 2 because they can grow on New and Kerr medium. The pathogenicity of these bacteria was tested using leaf explants of Catharanthus roseus cultured in B5 medium supplemented with 30 g\l sucrose and hormone free. Agrobacterium rhizogens showed the ability to induce and form hairy roots on the explants while the Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed the ability to induce crown gall tumors after inoculation with the bacterial spp.