EN
An efficient transformation system for Rauvolfia serpentina, commonly known as ‘‘sarpagandha’’, an important medicinal shrub of tropical countries of Asia, was established following infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain LBA 9402 using stem and leaf explants of axenic in vitro grown plants. The roots grew rapidly on hormone-free modified Murashige and Skoog’s medium and root growth varied substantially among the ten transformed root lines. PCR and RT-PCR analysis revealed presence and expression ofrolA and rolB genes at the transcription level in Ri-transformed root lines. The transformed root lines showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) on the basis of their reserpine content. High accumulation of reserpine was obtained in the root lines RsIX6 (3.11 ± 0.26 mg g⁻¹ DW), RsIXA (2.54 ± 0.66 mg g⁻¹ DW) and RsIX18 (2.26 ± 0.26 mg g⁻¹ DW). This is the first report of detection of reserpine in quantifiable amounts from LBA 9402-transformed root lines of R. serpentina.