Abstract
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) lines containing the nucleocapsid protein (N) gene of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were generated via microprojectile bombardment of somatic embryos from the cultivar Okrun, a runner-type peanut primarily grown in the southwestern U.S. The gene for hygromycin resistance, hph, was included on the plasmid containing the N gene as a selectable marker. PCR and ELISA results indicated that eight of 10 primary transformant lines were positive for incorporation and expression of the TSWV N transgene. PCR and ELISA analyses of T1 progeny indicated that two of the eight transgenic lines demonstrated a 3:1 segregation ratio, indicative of incorporation of a single copy of the TSWV N transgene. Transgene expression levels remained constant through the T1 generation.