Background: A highly efficient genetic transformation system is essential for a successful genetic manipulation of the African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.). Objectives: Developing a particle bombardment-based genetic transformation system for the African violet. Materials and Methods: A local cultivar of the African violet from Guilan province was used for transformation experiments. The pFF19G and pBin61-Ech42 vectors were used for transient and stable transformation experiments, respectively. The PCR and RT-PCR techniques were used to verify transgene presence and transcript levels in candidate transgenic lines, respectively. Results: Using leaf explants as target tissues, we transferred an endochitinase gene cDNA into African violet. Transgenic plants were regenerated on selection medium at a reasonable frequency (in average, one stable transgenic line per shot). Molecular analysis of transgenic plants by PCR and RT-PCR techniques confirmed successful integration and expression of transgene in several independent transgenic lines. Conclusions: Our results provide an efficient stable transformation system for genetic transformation of African violet.

For rapid multiplication and genetic manipulation of African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.) was aimed at developing a rapid and efficient regeneration and adaptation system from leaf explants. Using RM medium supplemented with different combinations of growth regulators, we developed a highly efficient and time-saving in vitro regeneration protocol. The developed system was also successfully applied for plant regeneration from petiole and internode explants of several Saintpaulia cultivars at a high efficiency. Regeneration occurred through both somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis at a high frequency. Also, we developed a rapid root formation protocol followed by their efficient adaptation for in vitro regenerated plantlets.