Transgenic Petunia hybrida with Silicon Transporter Protein OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 Genes and Its Drought Resistance Analysis

As one of the important materials in landscaping for flower terrace and border, Petunia hybrida needs high environmental conditions and its growth is seriously influenced by the drought. Silicon is considered to be a necessary element for plant growth, and soluble silicon can improve plant resilience. To improve the drought resilience of Petunia hybrida, the silicon transporter protein OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 genes cloned from rice (Oryza sative) were transferred into Petunia hybrida by Agrobacterium-mediated method, and finally got 26 and 32 positive plants, respectively by PCR and RT-PCR detections. With a control of non-transgenic plants, the obtained transgenic plants were taken by drought treatment stress for 0, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days, then re-watered and measured physiological indexes as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, free proline (Pro) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and peroxidase (POD) activity to study the effect of Petunia's drought resistance. All the results proved that the silicon transporter protein OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 genes were normally transcripted and expressed in transgenic Petunia hybrida; OsLsi1 gene could improve the abilities of plants’ drought resistance and recover after drought stress, while OsLsi2 gene could reduce the above abilities. The order of the drought resistance ability of the three strains from strong to weak was OsLsi1>CK>OsLsi2; and silicon indeed improved the ability of drought resistance as well. All these results provided a new way to improve the drought resistance of Petunia, and laid a foundation to improve the ability of garden plants’ drought resistance and water saving.