MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF GRAFT TRANSFORMATION IN CAPSICUM ANNUUM

We have analyzed genetic variation in the graft-induced variant lines of pepper for 50 years. Various kinds of variations have been found with irregular genetic behaviors in the progenies derived from repeated grafting and reported. Based on our experiments, we especially suggest that transformation is a probable mechanism for graft-induced genetic changes. To verify the hypothesis, we surveyed DNA transferred from stock to scion by using molecular techniques. We found several specific common DNA sequences among scion, stock and graft-induced variant such as tomato transposon-like sequence. It is likely that gene transfer and integrated mechanism in the grafted plants might be mediated via retrotransposon system. By using differential display, we are further analyzing some genes responsible for bushy plant and inverted-blunt fruit that are typical characteristics in the graft-induced variant lines.

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