Genetic variation and control of plant regeneration in leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.)

Zygotic embryos of leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.) were isolated from mature seeds of different cultivars, selfings and full-sib families. The embryos were cultured on callus induction and shoot regeneration medium and employed to study several parameters: percentage of embryos forming calluses, percentage of embryos forming compact calluses, callus weight, percentage of regenerating calluses, numbers of shoot primordia and numbers of regenerated shoots. Differences between cultivars and selfings were found for most parameters studied. For all cultivars all parameters, except callus weight, decreased after one generation of selfing. Compact callus types enhanced primordia formation and shoot regeneration. Genetic characteristics of callus development and plant regeneration were studied in a 4 × 4 diallel cross. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between full-sib families. The diallel analysis showed that additive gene effects were significant for all parameters. The predominance of additive gene effects indicated high narrow-sense heritability. Breeding for an increased number of regenerated shoots was successful.