Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OsTZF8 Gene in Oryza sativa for Drought Stress Tolerance

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a commonly consumed crop nourishing more than half of the human population. Different environmental stresses greatly affect cash crops. Among these, drought is a serious abiotic stress effecting rice productivity. Therefore, the current study was designed to know the role of OsTZF8 gene in conferring tolerance to drought stress. For this purpose, OsTZF8 gene was over-expressed in Oryza sativa subspecies indica variety Swat-1. Through Agrobacterium mediated transformation, OsTZF8 gene (pBIG-Ubi-OsTZF8) was successfully transferred to rice calli. From these rice calli transgenic plants were regenerated and established in greenhouse. For the evaluation of OsTZF8 gene role in drought stress tolerance, two weeks old rice seedling were subjected to drought stress. OsTZF8-OX transgenic indica line A and B displayed 69% and 64% survival rates respectively compared to 33% of control. These results confirmed that due to overexpression of OsTZF8 gene, transgenic line A and B displayed considerable level of drought stress tolerance. Additionally, the chlorophyll content of top four leaves of OsTZF8-OX transgenic indica line A and B were observed to be high compared to control. In conclusion our study revealed that over-expression of OsTZF8 gene has significant role in conferring tolerance to drought stress in rice.