The phenotypical and biochemical characteristics of the flower Cosmos sulphureus T1 overexpressing SoSPS1 (Sucrose Phosphate Synthase)
Tantri Swandari, Dyah Weny Respatie, Endang Sulistyaningsih, Widhi Dyah Sawitri and Aziz Purwantoro
Abstract: Yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus Cav.) is an ornamental plant with abundant secondary metabolites that can be used as natural herbicides. The present study evaluated the influence of overexpressing the Sucrose Phosphate Synthase (SoSPS1) gene on phenotypic features and accumulation of biochemical component in transgenic cosmos flowers. This genetic transformation was carried out using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated floral dip method. The quantitative characteristics of wild-type and transgenic cosmos flowers differed significantly in the number of flowers per plant and ray florets, flower diameter, ray floret width, pedicle length, fresh weight per flower, and seed number. Sucrose accumulation and total phenol content in transgenic plant flowers were higher than in the wild-type. These findings support the utilization of yellow cosmos as an ornamental plant for bioherbicide production.