Genotype and explant-type dependent morphogenesis and silicon response of common reed (Phragmites australis) tissue cultures

The effects of silicon on the growth and development of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud. (common reed) stem nodal and root embryogenic calli were investigated. Silicon is considered to be a beneficial or quasi-essential nutrient for several Gramineaceous plants, including reed. Seven callus lines of four geographical locations (genotypes 1-4) within Hungary were investigated. Callus lines 1A, 2A and 3A were produced from stem nodal explants, while lines 1B, 2B, 3B and 4 were produced from roots. For the assay of silicon-dependent growth of callus lines of identical genotype but originating from different explants, we measured the increase of fresh weight of lines 1A and 1B. The studied developmental parameters were the increase of the number of somatic embryos (for callus lines 1A and 1B) and plant or root production from somatic embryos (for all genotypes/callus lines). Silicon was added to the culture medium as sodium silicate. In control cultures, plant or root regeneration from embryogenic calli was strongly genotype- and explant type-dependent. Stem nodal explants developed plants on regeneration medium in case of callus lines 2A and 3A, while line 1A produced roots only. All root derived calli developed roots on regeneration medium. Silicon stimulated the growth of both stem nodal and root calli (callus lines 1A, B) however, the concentration optima were different. Somatic embryogenesis of root calli, but not of stem nodal calli, was stimulated by silicate at low concentrations. However, for both of these callus lines, root development was stimulated by silicon. It had genotype-dependent influences on plant regeneration: while stimulation was observed in case of callus line 2A, inhibition occurred for line 3A. Root morphogenesis on calli was significantly influenced by silicon and depended on the callus line studied. Root production was stimulated on callus lines 1A, B and 2B, while in case of callus line 3B, it was significantly inhibited. The morphogenetic effects of Si were similar for different explants of the same geographical origin, i.e. plant or root production was similarly stimulated or inhibited by this element. We can conclude that the effects of Si on plant or root development depend on reed genotype used for callus induction. Its effect on growth and somatic embryogenesis depends on the explant type used for callus production. This is the first detailed report on the role of silicon in plant vegetative development and morphogenesis of a Gramineaceous plant.     

Regeneration and characterization of somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Diplotaxis harra

Stem cortex protoplasts of Brassica napus, inactivated with iodoacetate, were fused with cell suspension - derived protoplasts of Diplotaxis harra by polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. PEG at 15–18% (w/v) induced 5–9% heterofusions. The hybrid callus selection was based on morphology: D. harra calli were yellow and very fine, while B. napus protoplasts typically produced green, well defined calli. A number of green, large calli were selected after fusion experiments and flowering plants were regenerated from two of these callus lines. The morphological traits as well as cytological and biochemical analysis of four isoenzymes confirmed the hybrid nature of the regenerants.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of cytoplasmic male sterile lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This study compared plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from suspension cultures of threeJaponica rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines with different male sterile cytoplasms. More than 180 green plants were regenerated from protoplasts from 5–8 month old suspensions of IR58024A, a line with the WA type of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). About 40% of the calli recovered from protoplasts produced green plants. ShuangbaiA (BT type of CMS) and Tai2A (Dian I type of CMS), both from Zhejiang province of China, responded less well in culture. ShuangbaiA produced green plants from 6.6% of calli, although initial protoplast yield per gram fresh weight was higher than for IR58024A. Tai2A showed lower protoplast yield, and only 1.1% of the calli produced green plants. Flow cytometric analyses of nuclear DNA content indicated that many of the regenerated plants were tetraploid. The percentage of tetraploids varied in the different lines. The male sterile characteristics of the original lines were maintained in the regenerated plants. Pollen abortion occured earliest in IR58024A and latest in Tai2A. IR58024A is a promising rice genotype for use as a recipient in direct gene transfer experiments.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - CMS cytoplasmic male sterility - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IRRI International Rice Research Institute - LS Linsmaier and Skoog's (1965) medium - MS Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - WA wild abortive     

Selection for NaCl tolerance in cell cultures of Medicago sativa and recovery of plants from a NaCl-tolerant cell line

Medicago sativa lines with a high incidence of regeneration were established as suspension cultures and used to select for NaCl tolerant lines. Attempts were then made to regenerate plants from these lines. Regeneration was severely depressed in NaCl tolerant calli and the only plants that were successfully regenerated were from one callus of M. sativa cv. Regen S which grew in 62.5 mM NaCl. Plants from this callus, and new calli derived from the recovered plants, have shown a tolerance to NaCl comparable to calli and plants from the initial seed stock rather than an improved level of tolerance.     

Somatic embryogenesis in Asparagus officinalis can be an in vitro selection process leading to habituated and 2,4-D dependent embryogenic lines

Long-term embryogenic lines were repeatedly obtained from nine asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) genotypes by the selection of rare events, which consisted of the emergence of either a few somatic embryos or an embryogenic callus from a restricted area of a primary callus. In the first case, somatic embryos emerged from 1 % of calli induced with naphtaleneacetic acid and transferred to a medium without auxin. Isolated and subcultured on hormone free medium, these embryos developed habituated embryogenic lines (H lines) growing by adventive embryogenesis. In the second case, 3 % of primary calli developed then subcultured on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) produced a new type of friable and yellowish-white callus, constituted of clusters of globular somatic embryos which can be continuously maintained on 2,4-D (2,4-D lines). Among 2,4-D lines, two types were identified by subculturing them on hormone–free medium. Half of the 2,4-D lines were habituated and half were 2,4-D dependent. Most plants regenerated from H lines exhibited a strong increase in embryogenic capacity compared to control plants, unlike plants regenerated from the 2,4-D dependent lines. This increased embryogenic capacity was transmitted to the progeny as a monogenic dominant trait. H lines would therefore be issued from mutation(s) occurring in vitro, conferring both the embryogenic and habituated phenotypes. On the contrary, in the 2,4-D dependent lines, the embryogenic processes appeared to remain under exogenous auxin control and no evidence of a mutational origin could be inferred from the behaviour of regenerated plants.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Triticum aestivum x Leymus angustus F1 hybrids and the parental lines

Somatic embryos and plants were produced from cultured inflorescence and leaf segments of Triticum aestivum X Leymus anaustus F₁ hybrids and the parental lines. Inflorescences showed a better capacity for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration than leaves. Leymus anaustus produced the highest number of embryogenic calli, while the hybrids were intermediate between this species and Triticum aestivum. Presence of 2,4-D was shown to be essential for induction and maintenance of somatic embryogenesis. Addition of five amino acids (glutamine, proline, asparagine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid) did not have any marked effect when they were used in the callus induction medium. The regenerated plants had the same morphology as the original plants. No cytological modification was observed in the examined plants.     

Efficient production of doubled haploid plants through colchicine treatment of anther-derived maize callus

Summary A chromosome doubling technique, involving colchicine treatment of an embryogenic, haploid callus line of maize (Zea mays L., derived through anther culture), was evaluated. Two colchicine levels (0.025% and 0.05%) and three treatment durations (24, 48, and 72 h) were used and compared to untreated controls. Chromosome counts and seed recovery from regenerated plants were determined. No doubled haploid plants were regenerated from calli without colchicine treatment. After treatment with colchicine for 24 h, the callus tissue regenerated about 50% doubled haploid plants. All of the plants regenerated from the calli treated with colchicine for 72 h were doubled haploids, except for a few tetraploid plants. No significant difference in chromosome doubling was observed between the two colchicine levels. Most of the doubled haploid plants produced viable pollen and a total of 107 of 136 doubled haploid plants produced from 1 to 256 seeds. Less extensive studies with two other genotypes gave similar results. These results demonstrate that colchicine treatment of haploid callus tissue can be a very effective and relatively easy method of obtaining a high frequency of doubled haploid plants through anther culture.     

In vitro selection of barley and wheat for resistance against Helminthosporium sativum

Summary Calli derived from immature embryos of barley and wheat genotypes were screened for their resistance to purified culture filtrate produced by the fungus Helminthosporium sativum P.K. and B. Two selection methods were used: a continuous method in which four cycles of selection were performed one after another on toxic medium and a discontinuous method in which a pause on non-toxic medium was given after the second or third cycle of selection. The latter was superior as it allowed the calli to regain their regeneration ability. About 3,000 calli from two barley genotypes and 2,000 from two wheat genotypes were used for selection. The selection with the pathotoxins resulted in 6% to 17% surviving calli. Toxin tolerant callus lines of barley were characterised by protein isozymes. Zymograms showed one more isozyme than with the unselected sensitive callus. Barley and wheat plants have been regenerated from callus lines surviving the toxin treatment and in vivo testing against pathogen revealed that the majority of these plants were less sensitive.     

The effect of B chromosomes and T-DNA on chromosomal variation in callus cells and regenerated roots of Crepis capillaris

The chromosome behaviour has been compared in three Crepis capillaris callus culture lines and the roots regenerated from these calli. The calli were obtained from explants derived from plants without and with two B chromosomes and the hairy roots were obtained from plants transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Cytological studies demonstrated that the presence of additional DNA as B chromosomes or as T-DNA had an influence on the numerical and structural variability of the standard chromosome in long-term callus cultures and in regenerated organs. The callus with two B chromosomes displayed higher levels of polyploidyzation than callus without B chromosomes. The roots regenerated from both these calli were only diploid, while roots regenerated from transformed callus were also polyploid. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fertile transgenic Brachiaria ruziziensis (ruzigrass) plants by particle bombardment of tetraploidized callus

We have produced transgenic plants of the tropical forage crop Brachiaria ruziziensis (ruzigrass) by particle bombardment-mediated transformation of multiple-shoot clumps and embryogenic calli. Cultures of multiple-shoot clumps and embryogenic calli were induced on solidified MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 4mg/L 2,4-D and 0.2mg/L BAP, respectively. Both cultures were bombarded with a vector containing an herbicide resistance gene (bar) as a selectable marker and the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Sixteen hours after bombardment, embryogenic calli showed a significantly higher number of transient GUS expression spots per plate and callus than multiple-shoot clumps, suggesting that embryogenic callus is the more suitable target tissue. Following bombardment and selection with 10mg/L bialaphos, herbicide-resistant embryogenic calli regenerated shoots and roots in vitro, and mature transgenic plants have been raised in the greenhouse. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA gel blot analysis verified that the GUS gene was integrated into the genome of the two regenerated lines. In SacI digests, the two transgenic lines showed two or five copies of GUS gene fragments, respectively, and integration at different sites. Histochemical analysis revealed stable expression in roots, shoots and inflorescences. Transgenic plants derived from diploid target callus turned out to be sterile, while transgenics from colchicine-tetraploidized callus were fertile.     

Apical callus formation in Solieria filiformis (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta) cultured in tanks

Loose-lying wild plants of the carragenophyte Solieria filiformis (Kützing) Gabrielson were cultivated under greenhouse conditions in 600 l tanks in stationary and turbulent cultures, produced either by air bubbling or water jets at the bottom of the tanks. One week after inoculation 90.3% of the apices of the plants grown in air turbulent cultures initiated the formation of callus. The apices were not broken and apparently non-wounded. No callus formation were observed from a few accidentaly broken apices in any culture. Only 4% of the apices in water turbulent cultures induced callus. Reorganization of branches from the calli took place after three weeks. Organogenetic calli detached from the mother plant after four weeks and formed spherical masses of 3 cm in diameter growing as unattached balls. Cellular disorganization (i.e. callus formation) in S. filiformis seems to be a consequence of intermittent abrasion or contact stimuli against tank walls produced by turbulence.     

Regeneration of whole plants from hypocotyl-, root-, and leaf-derived tissue cultures of the pasture legume Stylosanthes guyanensis

Callus cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog medium from seedling hypocotyls and roots of Slylosanlhes guyanensis (Aubl.) Sw. cv. Cook and from leaves of 6-month-old) plants. Shoots developed in primary calli derived from seedling tissue with a number of benzyladenine or kinetin and naphthaleneacetic acid combinations. Shoot formation on primary leaf callus, occurred with 2.0 mg/1 benzyladenine and 2.0 or 1.0 mg/l naphthaieneacetic acid. Undifferentiated callus from all three sources was induced and maintained on medium with 2.0 mg/1 kinetin and 2.0 mg/1 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacede acid in the dark. Shoot formation and regeneration of whole plants from these calli were achieved at high frequencies. The most successful combination of phytohormones for the induction of shoot development in undifferentiated callus, was 2.0 mg/1 benzyladenine and 1.0 mg/1 naphthaleneacetic acid. The regenerated plants showed no phenotypic abnormalities.     

Cytogenetics of in vitro cultured somatic cells and regenerated plants of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary Cytogenetic analysis of immature embryoderived calli and regenerated plants of barley has demonstrated high heterogeneity of callus cultures and significant differences in cytogenetic processes between different callus lines. Regenerated plants usually have a normal chromosome complement (2n=14). Tetraploid plaints occur with a frequency of 1%. No chromosome aberrations have been detected by Feulgen staining. The phenomenon of chromosome stickiness recorded from the 2nd day of culture was discovered in a majority of callus lines as well as the phenomena of chromatin hypercondensation and chromosome supercoiling. A possible contribution of cytogenetic and molecular processes to somaclonal variation is discussed.     

Regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of multiple lily cultivars

To pursue genetic improvement of lily, efficiency of both regeneration and transformation from callus cultures induced from different explants were evaluated in multiple cultivars. Thirty-five callus lines induced from filaments or styles and one control callus line derived from bulb scales of in total twenty lily cultivars representing Lilium longiflorum, Oriental × Trumpet and Longiflorum × Asiatic hybrids were maintained on a medium with 8.3 μM picloram (PIC). In this study, they were tested for their regeneration potential by transferring them onto a regeneration medium supplemented with 0.4 μM PIC and 0.044 μM 6-benzyladenine. Regeneration was obtained in all cultivars examined and the percentage varied from zero to 89 % in the 36 callus lines. Regeneration frequency was significantly influenced by the genotype (cultivar). Subculturing the calli every 4 weeks by refreshing the regeneration medium contributed positively to bulblet formation, when compared to an eight week subculture frequency. It was found that the regeneration ability generally decreased with an increasing age of the callus cultures for all cultivars. The origin of the callus (style or filament) did not lead to significant differences in regeneration frequency, but there was an interaction between callus origin and genotype. Calli of eight randomly chosen cultivars were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL0 carrying binary vectors with the gus gene as reporter and putative transgenic plants were produced. GUS histochemical assays demonstrated transient and stable expression of the gus gene in both calli and regenerated lily plants. Transient expression frequencies ranged from 0.3 to 20.6 % while stable transformation was much lower, only 1.4 % as the maximum.     

Haploid and diploid plant regeneration from protoplasts of anther callus in rice

Summary The regeneration of haploid and diploid plants was demonstrated from protoplasts that were isolated from cell suspensions of anther callus in rice. The cell suspension in the AA medium that contained 4 amino acids as the sole nitrogen source was friable, finely dispersed, and readily released a large number of protoplasts. These protoplasts, subsequently cultured in NO₃ medium that contained nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, formed compact calli. The compact calli produced green plants with a frequency of 24%. Out of 15 flowering plants, 4 were haploids, the others were diploids which showed a uniform morphology but varied in seed fertility from 95 to 0%.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid     

茎用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系子叶原生质体培养和高效植株再生（英文）

利用茎用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系原生质体培养获得了再生植株,并研究了影响原生质体培养的因素.结果表明,子叶是茎用芥菜原生质体培养最佳的外植体,10 d苗龄的子叶原生质体在改良MS培养基上培养3 d后发生第1次细胞分裂,6 d后发生第2次分裂,3周后形成细胞团,5周后形成肉眼可见的小愈伤.培养基中缺少NAA或2,4-D都会降低愈伤组织的再生能力.在含一定浓度的NAA(0.25 mg/L)和2,4-D(0.25 mg/L)培养基上诱导的愈伤组织质地致密且有光泽,芽的分化能力高;在MS+BA l mg/L+NAA 0.2 mg/L的培养基上芽的分化频率高达近29%,再生芽在1/2MS+NAA0.1 mg/L培养基上生根,形成完整植株.     

茎用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系子叶原生质体培养和高效植株再生

利用茎用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系原生质体培养获得了再生植株,并研究了影响原生质体培养的因素.结果表明,子叶是茎用芥菜原生质体培养最佳的外植体,10 d苗龄的子叶原生质体在改良MS培养基上培养3 d后发生第1次细胞分裂,6 d后发生第2次分裂,3周后形成细胞团,5周后形成肉眼可见的小愈伤.培养基中缺少NAA或2,4-D都会降低愈伤组织的再生能力.在含一定浓度的NAA(0.25 mg/L)和2,4-D(0.25 mg/L)培养基上诱导的愈伤组织质地致密且有光泽,芽的分化能力高;在MS+BA l mg/L+NAA 0.2 mg/L的培养基上芽的分化频率高达近29%,再生芽在1/2MS+NAA0.1 mg/L培养基上生根,形成完整植株.     

Selection of regenerable maize callus cultures resistant to 5-methyl-DL-tryptophan,S-2-aminoethyl-L-cysteine and high levels of L-lysine plus L-threonine

Tissues resistant to lethal levels of equimolar L-lysine plus L-threonine (LT), 5-methyl-DL-tryptophan (5MT, a tryptophan analog), or S-2-aminoethyl-L-cysteine (AEC, a lysine analog) were selected from maize callus capable of plant regeneration (H99 and W77-R3019 genotypes).Resistance to LT resulted from resistant calli having a 19 times greater level of free threonine than wild type tissues. The resistance was expressed in roots of whole plants; threonine levels were two to nine times greater in leaves and kernels of resistant plants than in wild type plants. Slightly greater levels of isoleucine, lysine and methionine were also noted, particularly in the kernel. Genetic studies with individual resistant plants did not always produce inheritance ratios typical of simple Mendelian inheritance, but by the third generation after plant regeneration a trend towards homozygosity was apparent and the data suggests that LT resistance is inherited as a single dominant nuclear gene.Resistance to 5MT resulted from resistant calli having a 133 to 161 times greater level of free tryptophan than wild type tissues. Also, phenylalanine was 22 to 30 times as great and histidine, tyrosine and valine were about two times as great as in wild type tissues. Resistance was expressed in roots of whole plants, and tryptophan levels were at least 2000 times greater in resistant than in wild type plants. Phenylalanine was also 32 times greater. All regenerant plants resistant to 5MT were both male and female sterile.Resistance to AFC was caused by decreased AEC uptake by the callus tissue and was not due to increased levels of free lysine. Plants were not regenerated from this callus.     

多年生黑麦草成熟胚再生体系的建立及基因枪转化

目的:建立以多年生黑麦草成熟胚为起始材料的再生体系,用于基因枪转化。方法:多年生黑麦草成熟种子在附加 5mg L 2,4 D的MS培养基上诱导愈伤组织,转至新继代培养基上产生胚性愈伤组织。分化培养基为无激素MS培养基。再生植株在培养基成分减半的无激素MS培养基生根,之后移栽至土壤。基于这一再生体系,用含有水稻几丁质酶基因RC2 4的质粒pARN6和含有草丁膦乙酰转移酶基因Bar的质粒pDB1,通过基因枪轰击胚性愈伤组织。用附加PPT的继代培养基进行转化植株的抗性筛选。结果:共获得 2 4 3株再生植株。通过PCR进行检测,获得1 8株整合有RC2 4基因的植株,1 5株整合有Bar基因的植株,同时转入 2个基因的植株 2株。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea zingiberensis</Emphasis> Wright,an important pharmaceutical crop

Dioscorea zingiberensis Wright has been cultivated as a pharmaceutical crop for production of diosgenin, a precursor for synthesis of various important steroid drugs. Because breeding of D. zingiberensis through sexual hybridization is difficult due to its unstable sexuality and differences in timing of flowering in male and female plants, gene transfer approaches may play a vital role in its genetic improvement. In this study, the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of D. zingiberensis was investigated with leaves and calli as explants. The results showed that both leaf segments and callus pieces were sensitive to 30 mg/l hygromycin and 50–60 mg/l kanamycin, and using calli as explants and addition of acetosyringone (AS) in cocultivation medium were crucial for successful transformation. We first immersed callus explants in A. tumefaciens cells for 30 min and then transferred the explants onto a co-cultivation medium supplemented with 200 μM AS for 3 days. Three days after, we cultured the infected explants on a selective medium containing 50 mg/l kanamycin and 100 mg/l timentin for formation of kanamycin-resistant calli. After the kanamycin-resistant calli were produced, we transferred them onto fresh selective medium for shoot induction. Finally, the kanamycin resistant shoots were rooted and the stable incorporation of the transgene into the genome of D. zingiberensis plants was confirmed by GUS histochemical assay, PCR and Southern blot analyses. The method reported here can be used to produce transgenic D. zingiberensis plants in 5 months and the transformation frequency is 24.8% based on the numbers of independent transgenic plants regenerated from initial infected callus explants.