Coffee biotechnology and its application in genetic transformation

The most important advances obtained on in vitro coffee regeneration systems and in coffee genetic transformation, drawing perspectives and scopes to further studies in these fields are presented and discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

棉花组织培养高效植株再生体系的建立

通过对影响棉花体细胞胚胎发生和植株再生关键因素的研究,建立了适用于广泛基因型的棉花组织培养高效胚胎发生与植株再生体系。从中棉所12、中棉所19、泗棉3号等20余个主栽品种诱导获得了胚胎发生和植株再生,有效地突破了棉花组织培养植株再生的基因型控制,使占我国棉田面积50%以上的品种均能诱导获得胚胎发生和再生植株。首次诱导获得直接胚胎发生,使棉花组织培养的周期由180d缩短到120d左右,减少了培养过程中变异的发生。该结果的获得必将大大促进植物细胞工程和基因工程在棉花遗传改良上的应用。     

Somaclonal variation in explant-derived potato clones over three tuber generations

Summary Tuber characteristics of potato clones (Solanum tuberosum L.) regenerated from cultured leaf, rachis or stem pieces of cv. Desiree were assessed in field trails over three years. In the first two seasons, when the crop was grown for seed potato production, tuber numbers and the tuber yields were normally distributed and the population means of the clones were about the same as those of the controls. When 78 of the clones were grown as a ware crop in a replicated field trial there were statistically significant differences between most clones and the controls in total yield (generally lower) and ware yield (generally higher), brought about by alterations of the size distributions of tubers. In all years the population of clones had fewer scab (Streptomyces scabies) lesions than the controls. Clones with consistent differences in flesh colour and eye depth were also observed. Two out of 78 clones, in 1984, had significantly higher dry matter content. No stable decrease in susceptibility to the cyst nematode Globodera pallida was observed amongst 167 clones tested. These potato plants regenerated from explants clearly show that somaclonal variation can include agronomically relevant changes.     

Genotypic and exogenous factors affecting shoot regeneration from anther callus of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting the regeneration capacity of linseed anther culture. Four different environmental conditions in a phytotron were tested with regard to their effects on anther donor plants of cv. Hella. Anther response and shoot regeneration from anther callus was maximal when donor plants were grown in a 16 hrs-day at 14°C day/8°C night temperature. Anthers of four linseed genotypes were cultured on different media. Maximum shoot regeneration was achieved when the induced calli were transferred onto a modified N6 medium containing zeatin (1 mg l^-1). Most of the calli regenerated shoots in the second subculture on regeneration media. Shoots were rooted on modified B5 or MS media containing NAA (0.1 mg l^-1). Cytological examinations of incubated anthers and root tips of regenerated plants indicated that the anther calli were derived from microspores.Abbreviations B5 Gamborg's (1975) medium - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - N6 Chu's (1978) medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog's (1962) medium - ZEA zeatin     

Effect of gamma and ultraviolet irradiation on adventitious regeneration from in vitro cultured pear leaves

Summary Irradiation of in vitro explants and subsequent adventitious regeneration has been tested for 4 commercially important varieties of pear (Pyrus communis) with the aim to create mutants with a reduced susceptibility to fire-blight (Erwinia amylovora). The effect of gamma and ultraviolet irradiation of leaves on adventitious regeneration ability has been studied. The LD50 (50% decrease of regeneration) after gamma irradiation was genotype-dependent and was between 20 and 50 grays. The curves of regeneration showed a threshold dose underneath which none or a very slight decrease was registered. The decrease might result from cumulative events. After an ultraviolet irradiation as low as 62.5 J/m², the leaves became crumbly and rolled up, and their metabolism seemed to be altered. The LD50 was about 125 J/m² for all varieties and the decrease of regeneration was linear. Histological investigations showed leaves with flattened epidermal cells after ultraviolet irradiation and slack spongy parenchyma after gamma irradiation.Abbreviations Gy grays - J joules - LD lethal dose     

Anther Culture in Rye: Improved Plant Regeneration Using Modified MS-Media

The use of androgenetic doubled haploids in rye breeding is still limited by low regeneration rates. In this study we tested the influence of two modified MS-media on the number of reacting anthers and on plant regeneration. Picloram and 2,4-D were used as auxin components in the induction media. The highest induction rates (reacting anthers per 100 cultivated anthers) and the highest regeneration rates (number of green plants per 100 cultivated anthers) were reached on a modified MS-medium containing Picloram as auxin source, regardless of the donor plant material. The comparison of the results obtained with the single cross ‘SC 35’ which contains genes of Secale vavilovii and the true Secale cereale donor forms clearly show the genotypic influence of donor plant material on induction and regeneration ability.     

Substitution Analysis of Plant Regeneration from Callus Culture in Wheat

The genetic determination of the plant regeneration ability of tissue cultures arising from immature embryos was studied using a ‘Chinese Spring’/‘Cheyenne’ substitution series. Plant regeneration proved to be polygenically determined. In tile current experiment the chromosomes 7B, 7D and ID were found to be effective, although the possibility of other chromosome effects cannot be excluded.     

The influence of cytoplasmic differences on shoot morphogenesis inBrassica carinata A. Br.

Summary The influence of cytoplasmic differences on shoot regeneration response has been investigated inB. carinata (BBCC) synthesised from reciprocal crosses betweenB. nigra (BB) andB. oleracea (CC). Mean shoot regeneration response from cotyledons of C cytoplasmic origin was twice as high as that from cotyledons with B cytoplasm. Statistical analysis of data indicated significant differences between cytoplasms, among growth regulator combinations and between cytoplasms and growth regulator interactions