Establishment of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in Salix brachista.

Salix brachista, commonly known as the Cushion willow, is a plant species that is indigenous to the alpine ice edge zones. This remarkable plant is predominantly found in the Hengduan Mountains. As a quintessential example of an alpine plant, the development of a genetic transformation system for Salix brachista is of paramount importance for unraveling the origins and the intricate mechanisms that underpin the diversity of alpine plant species. In the course of our research, we initially focused on creating a robust regeneration system for this species, utilizing stem segments of Salix brachista. Through meticulous optimization of various factors, we achieved a commendable average regeneration rate of 52%. Building upon this foundational work, we then established a straightforward and highly effective genetic transformation protocol, employing the Agrobacterium-mediated method. The successful establishment of this genetic transformation method not only represents a significant advancement in itself but also opens up new avenues for further gene editing and functional research endeavors in Salix brachista.