Optimisation of methods for Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated generation of composite plants in Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Background The wide adaptability, fast growth rate, good form, excellent wood and fiber properties make Eucalyptus the most widely planted genus of plantation forest trees. With the availability of Eucalyptus genome sequence information, assignment of function to genes contributing to desired traits require functional validation via overexpression or silencing in the context of the plant environment. However, plant regeneration from transformed tissues has been the most time consuming and rate-limiting step for rapid gene function analysis in tree species. The composite plants with transgenic hairy roots derived via Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation are therefore increasingly being used in species with such limitations to study root development and root-biotic interactions [1]. In this paper we describe a protocol developed for generation of composite plants using A. rhizogenes mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis.