The use of an in vitro adventitious bud technique for mutation breeding of Begonia x hiëmalis

Summary An in vitro propagation of two genotypes of Begonia x hiëmalis was achieved through adventitious shoot formation on (sub)cultured leaf-disc explants and subsequent transplantation to soil of explant-parts with adventitious shoots.After irradiation of detached leaves with different doses of X-rays and two cycles of adventitious shoot formation on in vitro (sub)cultured leaf-disc explants, plantlets were produced. About 30% of these plants was mutated with respect to e.g. the colour, size and form of the leaves and flowers. The great majority of the mutants (98.5%) proved to be solid (non-chimeric).     

The use of RAPD technique for the identification and classification of Pisum sativum L. genotypes

Summary The genomic DNAs of 42 Pisum sativum genotypes, representing four wild and cultivated subspecies were used as templates in RAPD reactions. Amplification with eight decamer primers generated 149 polymorphic products. Genetic similarities of RAPD profiles were estimated via a coefficient of Jaccard and then the data were processed by cluster analysis (UPGMA). Each genotype was clearly identified and separated from the others. Our results show that RAPD technology is a rapid, precise and sensitive technique for identification of pea genotypes. However, the phylogenetic relationships within the Pisum sativum, which we tested by bootstrap analysis (Wagner parsimony), must be interpreted with caution.     

The use of conventional and molecular genetics to produce new diversity in seed oil composition for the use of plant breeders-progress, problems and future prospects

Summary Considerable advances in the manipulation of seed oil yield and quality have been made using conventional breeding methods. Newer methods such as induced mutation and wide crosses have also resulted in significant achievements. These techniques, however, are all limited by the gene pool available in the crop of interest and its near relatives. The prospect of diminishing supplies of non-renewable fossil hydrocarbon reserves and the reality of edible crop surpluses have focused attention on the development of industrial oilseed crops. This will require the production of types of seed fatty acids which are not available in the oilseed crop species that are grown at present.The introduction of novel oil crops via domestication is contrasted with the insertion of alien genes into existing oilseeds to create designer crops. The use of molecular genetics to alter the yield and quality of rapeseed oil is discussed, and strategies for the engineering of seven new designer rapeseed varieties are presented.