Transformation of japonica rice with RHL gene and salt tolerance of the transgenic rice plant

Overexpression of the yeastHAL2 gene increases salt tolerance of yeast and plant. RiceHAL2-like (RHL) gene was introduced into ajaponica rice cultivar HJ19 withAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants in R0 generation were selected on the principle of GUS-positive,RHL gene PCR-positive and normal growth. Hygromycin-resistant plants of some transgenic lines in R1 generation increased salt tolerance during the seedling and booting stage, being less damaged in the cytomembrane and stronger in leaf tissue viability under salt stress during booting period. Southern analysis of transgenic lines tolerant to salt in R1 generation showed that theRHL gene expression cassette had been successfully integrated into rice genome. Moreover, gene engineering breeding methodology and really salt-tolerant rice cultivar were discussed.