Overexpression of phytochrome A enhances the light-induced formation of adventitious shoots on horseradish hairy roots

A full-length cDNA of the gene for phytochrome A from Arabidopsis thaliana was fused with the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S-PHYA) and introduced into horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaert., Mey. et Scherb.) hairy roots. The phytochrome level in hairy roots transformed with CaMV35SPHYA was about three times greater than that in normal hairy roots and the rate of light-induced formation of adventitious shoots was also higher in the hairy roots transformed with CaMV35SPHYA. These results indicate that the light-induced formation of adventitious shoots on horseradish hairy roots is closely related to the phytochrome level.