Transformation of Cardamom with the RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Gene of Cardamom mosaic virus

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is an important spice crop. It is affected by Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV). In order to make cardamom plants resistant to CdMV by the pathogen-derived resistance approach, the RNA dependent RNA polymerase gene (NIb) of CdMV in the plant expression vector pAHC17, was introduced into cardamom embryogenic calli along with GFP-BAR by particle bombardment. Transformants were selected on a medium containing bialaphos and the presence of NIb and gfp genes in cardamom plants were confirmed by PCR, Southern hybridization and GFP expression.