Characterisation of two tomato lines highly resistant to TSWV following transformation with the viral nucleoprotein gene.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a serious threat to both horticultural and ornamental crops. Three fresh-market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) lines were transformed with the nucleoprotein gene of TSWV by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Primary transformants for each line were analysed for transgene integration and expression. Results showed that inserted transgenic DNA was often rearranged. Progeny of selected primary transformants were obtained by self-pollination and tested for resistance to TSWV. One completely resistant line was identified having a single integration locus with multiple rearranged transgene copies and a true-to-type phenotype. It will be further tested for possible inclusion in breeding programs