Efficient in-vitro regeneration and transformation for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Key message The present study addresses optimization of in-vitro regeneration via direct organogenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, enabling efficient multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of the phytoene desaturase (PsPDS) gene in pea. Abstract Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop valued for food, plant-based protein, vegetable, and green manure. Although genome editing offers a precise and rapid strategy for crop improvement, its application in pea remains challenging due to inherent recalcitrance to in-vitro regeneration and genotype-dependent transformation. The regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems were optimized, and the dicotyledonary node (DCN) was identified as the preferred explant for multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in pea. Among three explant types (embryonic axis, DCN and nodal segment), DCN showed the highest regeneration efficiency, producing 100% shoot bud induction and 39.70 shoots per explant on MS medium augmented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 6.00 mg/L) and kinetin (1.00 mg/L). Shoot elongation and rooting efficiencies were improved using GA3 (1.00 mg/L), BAP (1.00 mg/L), IAA (0.10 mg/L), and NAA (0.5 mg/L), respectively. Manipulating explant type, Agrobacterium optical density, vacuum infiltration, acetosyringone concentration, infection time, and co-cultivation duration improved the transient transformation efficiency. We noted efficiency from 23.33% to 90.00% in DCN and from 6.66% to 93.33% in embryonic axis explants across 10 pea cultivars. Stable transformed lines generated from the DCN of cultivar Kashi Samridhi were confirmed by GUS staining and PCR. The optimized regeneration and transformation system facilitated targeted editing of phytoene desaturase (PsPDS) in pea, achieving ICE-estimated mutation frequencies of upto 97% in independent lines. The study provides a robust platform for functional genomics and accelerates the deployment of genome-editing technologies for pea improvement.