Evaluation of Green Fluorescent Protein Expression in Selected Indica Rice Varieties

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression in three indica rice genotypes PusaBasmati1, Swarna and Gayatri is evaluated in this study. GFP functions as reporter gene and the transformation efficiencies of these genotypes are compared. Results showed that PusaBasmati1, an aromatic variety showed higher transformation efficiency compared to Swarna and Gayatri which are popular varieties among farmers. Application of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as reporter gene in rice has specific advantage over popularly employed β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. Comparative expression studies of both these reporter genes were evaluated. Prospects and consequences of utilizing GFP as a reporter gene and the advantages of GFP gene over GUS gene were discussed.