Diversity of diploid androgenic Brussels sprout plants of R0 and R1 generations

Androgenic Brussels sprout plants were produced by the use of anther culture from the donor cultivar 'Philemon F1'. A total of 96 plants obtained from 20 androgenic R0 genotypes assigned as diploids were evaluated both in the generative and vegetative stage, in respect of their morphological characters: mean plant height; leaf size, colour and waxiness; leaf blade shape, blistering and attitude; number of sprouts; as well as their self-incompatibility and fertility. Androgenic R0 plants derived from each of the 20 embryos were highly diversified and differed from the donor in one or more morphological traits in the vegetative stage. Evaluated populations also varied in fertility and self-incompatibility. Six androgenic genotypes that set a sufficient amount of seeds of the R1 generation and 'Philemon F1' were evaluated in the field in respect of plant height, total and marketable yield per plot, shape of stem with sprouts, shape and density of sprouts, and spacing between sprouts. Only four diploid R0 and R1 populations may have some value for further breeding, as they are characterised by good vigour, high or medium ability for sprout generation, and sufficient fertility.     

苦豆子表型性状多样性分析及综合评价

该研究以自然分布的内蒙、宁夏、甘肃、新疆、陕西等23个不同地理来源(种源)的野生苦豆子种子及其播种于内蒙古鄂托克前旗同质园内的当年生植株为材料,采用方差分析、主成分分析、聚类分析等方法对种子长、宽、千粒重以及植株的叶长、叶宽、叶面积、叶形指数、苗高、地径及生物量等10个表型性状的多样性进行了研究。结果表明:各个表型性状种源间均呈极显著差异,其中种子表型性状的变异系数为5.24%,植株表型性状的变异系数为18.34%,表明种子性状的稳定性高于植株性状。同时,10个性状的表型分化系数均高于70%,说明苦豆子表型多样性主要来源于种源间的表型变异;各种源苦豆子种子性状的表型分化系数均值高达97.55%,且种长、千粒重分别与采集地经度、纬度和海拔等环境因子呈极显著相关性,说明种子表型性状受环境因素的影响较大;相关性分析显示,苦豆子植株性状叶长(LL)、叶面积(LA)分别与种子性状千粒重(TW)、种长(SL)和种宽(SW)有显著相关性,暗示表型性状中的可遗传变异影响;利用主成分和聚类分析对23个种源苦豆子进行综合评价,筛选出生物量较大、苗高较高、千粒重较重、叶面积较大等综合表现较好的6个种源,共分为两类,分别是DK、JY、WY、WH、ETK和YN,这为苦豆子种质资源定向开发以及选育和栽培提供了一定的理论支撑和基础材料。     

In vitro culture provides additional variation for pigeonpea

Summary The present study is an attempt to exploit somaclonal variation for the varietal improvement of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.]. The pigeonpea plants were regenerated from cotyledon explants, and their progeny was screened for variability. The regenerated R1 plants exhibited a spectrum of alterations in floral morphology and architecture that were absent in the control population. The field-sown R2 plants segregated for traits such as flower color, leaf shape, seed size, color and strophiolation, flowering habit, and fertility. Tissue culture produced different mutational events resulting in both dominant and recessive alleles. Significant variation was observed for plant height, seed mass, and damage due to the insect pest Helicoverpa armigera. The R3 plants, obtained from seed of R2 generation selected for traits such as white seed coat, strophiolation, reduced plant height, seed mass and low damage due to Helicoverpa, maintained the traits when compared with the seed-derived control populations. The results indicate a definite gene for white seed coat and the possibility of additional genes for pest tolerance and high seed mass in an adapted background. Submitted as Journal Article No. 1906 by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

Effect of in vitro culture conditions on somaclonal variation in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) using RAPD markers

We report a high frequency regeneration protocol in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp. var. C 152) via somatic embryogenesis from 10-d-old primary leaf explants. A study was conducted to examine the effect of somaclonal variations in in vitro derived cowpea plants under field conditions. The regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to field after hardening in vitro and grown for collecting R0, R1 and R2 seeds. The seeds of R1 and R2 generations were subsequently, grown under field conditions and their various biometrical traits were compared and evaluated with non-tissue cultured cowpea plants as check. There was no detectable somaclonal variation induced in R0-R2 in any of the biometrical traits. The results indicate that the inclusion of different plant growth promoters at specified concentrations and duration in our earlier tissue culture work did not induce any detectable mutation. The RAPD analysis also shows that there is no genetic variation among R2 cowpea plants. The somatic embryogenesis protocol we report could thus be safely applied for high frequency true-to-type regeneration and transformations protocols without any somaclonal variation.     

Intraspecific variation in seedling growth responses of a relict tree species Euptelea pleiospermum to precipitation manipulation along an elevation gradient

Improving the accuracy of predictions regarding how plants respond to climate change is crucial to protecting biodiversity. However, little is known about the effects of seed source and elevation on the response of mountain plant species to reductions in precipitation. Here, we collected seeds of a tree species (Euptelea pleiospermum) from three seed sources and carried out a two-growing-season reciprocal transplant experiment with precipitation manipulation at three sites along an elevation gradient in the Shennongjia Mountains, central China. Variations in whole-plant traits, leaf traits, and root traits were investigated. We found that most plant traits of E. pleiospermum seedlings were affected by reductions in precipitation, and responses varied among different elevations and seed sources. Whole-plant traits, root biomass, and leaf traits related to photosynthesis capacity decreased under reduced precipitation treatments at mid and high elevation sites. Thus, climate change induced drought will likely have a negative influence on seedling growth at mid and high elevation regions. In addition, a home-site advantage in whole-plant traits and root traits was observed. However, the responses of leaf traits in most cases were not affected by seed source because of higher phenotypic plasticity. Our results suggested that both local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity were important in seedling growth responses to reduced precipitation. We also highlight the importance of taking intraspecific variation into account when studying the response of plants to changes in climate.

     

Genetic variation for quantitative traits in soybean lines derived from tissue culture

Tissue culture may generate useful genetic variation for quantitative traits. The objective of this study was to analyze genetic variation for ten quantitative traits of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] among lines derived from the tissue culture of three cultivars. The three cultivars used to obtain R0 plants from tissue culture were BSR 101, Hodgson 78, and Jilin 3. A total of 63 R0-derived lines of BSR 101, eight of Hodgson 78, and 42 of Jilin 3 was planted with the untreated controls in row plots in a randomized complete-block design with three replications at two locations for each of 2 years. The traits evaluated were days to beginning bloom (R1), beginning seed (R5), beginning maturity (R7), full maturity (R8), height, lodging, seed yield, seed weight, protein content, and oil content. Significant (P < 0.05) variation was observed among lines for each of the ten quantitative traits. There was 57.1% of the BSR 101 lines, 87.5% of the Hodgson 78 lines, and 76.2% of the Jilin 3 lines that were significantly different from the controls for at least one trait. The percentages of lines that were significantly different from the control for an individual trait ranged from 2.7% for oil content to 25.7% for R7. The magnitude of the changes was relatively small. Although this genetic variation may be useful for cultivar development, greater variability at less expense would be expected with conventional artificial hybridization.Journal Paper No. J-14958 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, IOWA, USA Project No. 2475.     

不同种源桃金娘表型性状多样性研究

为解析桃金娘表型性状多样性及其种源间关系，该文以20个不同来源的桃金娘为研究对象，在同质园栽培条件下，对其营养器官和花器官表型性状进行观测，采用方差分析、变异分析、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数分析和聚类分析等方法，探讨不同种源桃金娘表型性状多样性。结果表明：(1)不同种源桃金娘表型性状存在显著差异(P<0.05),Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均值在1.35以上，表型性状多样性丰富。(2)种源内表型性状变异系数均值在10.81%～63.75%之间，种源间的变异系数均值在13.08%～74.04%之间，种源间变异(23.33%)高于种源内变异(19.79%),营养器官变异(29.52%)高于花器官变异(14.06%)。(3)部分性状存在极显著或显著相关性，株高与分枝数呈极显著负相关，而与叶长、叶宽和叶面积等却呈显著正相关。(4)在欧式距离10处，20个种源桃金娘可分为A、B、C三类，A类包含8个种源，该类种源表现为植株高大、分枝少、叶大和花大等特征；B类包含11个种源，该类种源表现为株高中等、叶较大和花中等等特征；C类仅包含1个种源，表现为植株低矮、分枝多、叶小和...     

浙江楠种群表型变异

以探讨浙江楠(Phoebe chekiangensis)种群间和种群内的表型变异程度和变异规律为目的, 对其分布区9个种群的10个表型性状进行了研究。采用巢式方差分析、变异系数、多重比较和相关分析等多种分析方法, 对种群间和种群内的表型多样性及其与地理生态因子的相关性进行了讨论。研究结果表明: 浙江楠叶片、种子等表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在着丰富的变异, 10个性状在种群间、种群内的差异均达极显著水平; 种群内的变异(21.74%)大于种群间的变异(18.45%), 表型性状的平均分化系数为41.43%, 种群内变异是浙江楠表型变异的主要变异来源。各性状平均变异系数为12.78%, 变化幅度为6.50%-19.38%。种群间叶片的平均变异系数(16.99%)高于种群间种子的平均变异系数(8.58%), 表明种子的稳定性高于叶片。叶宽、叶面积与叶片其他性状间多呈显著或极显著相关, 种子千粒重与种子宽、种子体积显著正相关; 而种子和叶片的各性状间多无显著相关性。种子宽、种子体积和种子千粒重随着海拔的增加出现减小的趋势, 种子体积受纬度控制, 随着纬度的增大表现出增大的趋势。     

Heritable somaclonal variation in wheat

Summary Efficient tissue culture and regeneration methods were established using immature wheat embryos as expiants. Genotype differences in culturability were evident, and from the ten accessions most amenable to culture, a total of 2,846 plants were regenerated. Extensive somaclonal variation for morphological and biochemical traits was observed among 142 regenerants of a Mexican breeding line, Yaqui 50E, and their progeny. Variant characters included height, awns, tiller number, grain colour, heading date, waxiness, glume colour, gliadin proteins and -amylase regulation. The variant characters were heritable through two seed generations and included traits under both simple and quantitative genetic control. Segregation data suggested that mutations both from dominance to recessiveness, and from recessiveness to dominance, had occurred. Most mutations in the primary regenerants were in the heterozygous state but some were true-breeding and presumed to be homozygous. Chromosome loss or addition did not account for the variation and none of the variant phenotypes was observed in over 400 plants from the parental seed source. The distinctive parental gliadin pattern was maintained in the somaclones thus excluding seed contamination or cross-pollination as a source of the variation.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - 2,4,5-T 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid - IAA indole acetic acid - BAP 6-benzyl amino purine - ABA abscisic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - DAP days after planting     

Local climate and cultivation,but not ploidy,predict functional trait variation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bouteloua gracilis</Emphasis> (Poaceae)

Efforts to improve the diversity of seed resources for important restoration species has become a high priority for land managers in many parts of the world. Relationships between functional trait values and the environment from which seed sources are collected can provide important insights into patterns of local adaptation and guidelines for seed transfer. However, little is known about which functional traits exhibit genetic differentiation across populations of restoration species and thus may contribute to local adaptation. Here, we report the results of a common garden experiment aimed at assessing genetic (including ploidy level) and environmental regulation of several functional traits among populations of Bouteloua gracilis, a dominant C4 grass and the most highly utilized restoration species across much of the Colorado Plateau. We found that leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) varied significantly among populations, and were strongly correlated with the source population environment from which seeds were collected. However, variation in ploidy level had no significant effect on functional traits. Leaves of plants grown from commercial seed releases were significantly larger and had lower SLA than those from natural populations, a result that is concordant with the overall relation between climate and these two functional traits. We suggest that the patterns of functional trait variation shown here may extend to other grass species in the western USA, and may serve as useful proxies for more extensive genecology research. Furthermore, we argue that care should be taken to develop commercial seed lines with functional trait values that match those of natural populations occupying climates similar to target restoration sites.     

喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶林木本植物功能性状变异及其适应策略

叶片功能性状能反映植物对环境的高度适应能力和复杂生境下的自我调控能力,同时也能反映植物的基本特征和对资源的有效利用率。以木论国家级自然保护区喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶林144种优势木本植物为研究对象,测定其叶厚(LT)、叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)、叶长宽比(L/W)、叶组织密度(LTD)叶片形态性状和12种叶元素性状特征及变异程度,并探讨植物对喀斯特生境的适应策略。结果表明：17个性状变异程度不同,其中叶面积变异系数最大,达到133.31%,叶片碳变异系数最小,为7.73%,叶元素变异程度普遍高于叶形态性状变异程度。不同叶习性物种间叶厚、比叶面积、叶长宽比、叶氮含量性状差异达到显著水平。部分叶性状呈显著相关,得到一系列最佳功能性状组合,体现植物对喀斯特地区特殊生境的适应性。沿着性状贡献率较高的PC1轴,能够定义出叶经济谱,大部分常绿植物采取经济保守策略,而大部分落叶植物则聚集在资源获取的一侧。相较于邻近非喀斯特地区,喀斯特地区植物有较小的LA、SLA。这些结果体现了喀斯特地区植物叶片形成的不同叶性状特征,以及分布于经济谱两端的常绿和落叶植物的不同资源获取策略,揭示了植物对生境的适应策略...     

民勤绿洲—荒漠过渡带植物叶性状的研究

以民勤绿洲—荒漠过渡带20种主要植物为研究对象,通过对叶片6个功能性状的测定,分析荒漠植物叶性状的变异及相关性,比较不同功能群植物叶性状的差异性,探讨荒漠植物对环境的适应性,为该地区植被的恢复和重建提供理论依据。结果表明：①叶性状存在种间差异且变异程度不同,变异范围为14.11%~47.63%,叶绿素含量（ChlC）变异系数最大,叶片全氮含量（LCC）变异系数最小。②叶干物质含量（LDMC）与ChlC、LCC均呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）,ChlC与LCC呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）,其他叶性状间相关性不显著。③不同功能群植物叶性状存在显著差异。其中,豆科植物叶片LDMC、ChlC、LCC极显著高于藜科植物（P＜0.01）。草本植物叶片比叶面积（SLA）极显著高于灌木植物叶片（P＜0.01）。一年生植物叶片SLA、LNC显著高于多年生植物（P＜0.05）;多年生植物叶片LDMC极显著高于一年生植物（P＜0.01）;多年生植物叶片C含量显著高于一年生植物（P＜0.05）。C₃植物叶片LDMC、ChlC显著高于C₄植物（P＜0.05）;C₄植物叶片δ¹³C极显著高于C₃植物 （P＜0.01）;C₃植物叶片LCC极显著（P＜0.01）高于C₄植物。     

太白杜鹃天然居群的表型多样性

为揭示太白杜鹃(Rhododendron purdomii)天然居群的表型变异程度、变异规律,以秦岭山区的7个天然居群为研究对象,对其花序和叶片的10个数量性状和8个质量性状进行方差分析、相关分析与聚类分析,探讨居群间与居群内表型多样性的变异特点。结果显示:(1)在太白杜鹃的质量性状中,花色与花瓣内斑在居群间与居群内均存在丰富变异,花朵香味、花序形状、花冠形状、花梗颜色、叶片形状和株型等仅在居群间存在明显变异,在居群内则趋于一致性;其数量性状在居群间与居群内也存在广泛变异,10个数量性状在居群间和居群内平均值差异全部达显著水平;在7个居群内数量性状的变异系数为0～55.3%,其中花梗长、花丝长、花瓣宽与叶柄长变异较大,花朵数变异较小。(2)相关性分析表明,太白杜鹃花瓣长和花瓣宽分别与经度存在极显著与显著负相关关系,叶片长、叶片宽和叶片长宽比与海拔均存在显著负相关关系,而其它性状与地理因子的关系密切。(3)聚类分析显示,太白杜鹃的7个天然居群可以初步分为两大类,但性状的表型特征并没有依地理距离而聚类。研究表明,太白杜鹃天然居群的表型性状在居群内与居群间均存在丰富的变异,而且其与居群特点、分布生境等关系密切。     

Survival and division in protoplasts from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) depends on the physiological state of the individual donor plant

Variation in the survival potential of protoplasts isolated from different leaf positions and from individuals within a batch of N. tabacum L. cv. Xanthi-ne is reported. Foliar application of growth regulators and nutrients to unstressed, waterlogged and waterstressed donor plants, demonstrates the prophylactic role of such treatments. It is suggested that intrabatch variation may be related to fluctuations in water supply to the individual donor plants. Vegetative propagation via buds in vitro improved the quality of donors compared with seed raised plants. Further, tissue culture progeny were more tolerant of in vivo waterlogging. The high osmotic pressure of the tissue culture medium may induce this tolerance. The results are discussed in the context of an overall strategy to control the quality of donor plants for protoplast isolation.     

白皮松种子休眠特性的种源变异

对７个具有代表性种源的白皮松种子的休眠特性研究表明,白皮松种子种皮的透水性在种源间差异明显,表现出随地理纬度的增高而逐渐增大的趋势,分布越是偏北的种源透水性趋于加强。根据种皮的透水性,７个种源可被分为差异明显的２组,组间以秦岭为界。不同种源种子种皮的透气性以外种皮造成的差异为最大,内种皮次之。种子的透气性与透水性表现出的变化趋势相同。不同种源种子浸提液的抑制能力显著不同,而且这种差异随浸提液浓度的     

麻栎不同种源的表型性状变异分析

以来源于广西、广东、贵州、湖南、浙江、安徽、江苏、湖北、四川、陕西、河南和山东的28个麻栎（QuercusacutissimaLinn.）地理种源为研究对象,分析了6个表型性状（包括叶长、叶宽、叶柄长和叶长宽比4个叶片性状及株高和地径2个生长性状）的变异状况;研究了种源间及种源内各性状的变异系数（CV）和相对极差（R°）及种源间各叶片性状的表型分化系数（Vst）;并进行了各性状的相关性分析及主成分分析;此外,还对28个种源进行了聚类分析。结果表明：各种源间6个表型性状均有极显著差异（P〈0.01）;而种源内仅叶宽和叶长分别具有极显著和显著（P〈0.05）差异。种源间4个叶片性状的Vst平均值为23.98%,其中叶宽的Vst值最大（42.39%）。在6个表型性状中,叶柄长的CV平均值最大（33.60%）、地径的CV平均值最小（16.25%）;在不同种源中,陕西汉中种源各性状的CV平均值最小（14.39%）,而江苏句容、四川万源和山东沂水种源各性状的CV平均值均超过30%。各种源间表型性状的R°值差异明显,其中,四川万源种源的R°值最大（60.99%）,湖南新宁和陕西汉中种源的R°值较小（30%以下）;而6个性状间R°值差别不大,为34.93%-44.98%,表明麻栎种源间的极端差异程度有明显不同,而表型性状间的极端差异程度差异不大。4个叶片性状中,仅叶宽与叶长宽比呈极显著负相关,其他性状间均呈极显著正相关;叶片性状与生长性状间均呈负相关,而株高与地径则呈极显著正相关。麻栎种源表型性状变异的第1和第2主成分的贡献率分别为43.663%和27.695%,第1主成分中叶性状变异占主导地位,而第2主成分则主要反映生长性状的变异。通过聚类分析可将28个种源分为2大类,分别包含22和6个种源,但聚类分析结果与其地理分布没有明显相关性。研究结果显示：麻栎?     

暴马丁香不同种源种子和幼苗的表型性状变异及其与地理-气候因子的相关性

为探究不同产地暴马丁香﹝Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis ( Rupr.) P. S. Green et M. C. Chang〕种子和幼苗的表型性状变异规律及其与地理-气候因子的关系,以来源于黑龙江、河北、北京、内蒙古、青海和山西的10个种源(包括6个野生种源和4个栽培种源)的种子和幼苗为实验材料,对种子长和宽、种翅长和宽、百粒质量、发芽率、叶长和宽、叶长与叶宽的比值、叶柄长、株高和地径12个表型性状进行测量;在此基础上,进行了方差分析、变异系数分析、主成分分析、聚类分析及相关性分析。结果显示：暴马丁香不同种源间种子和幼苗的表型性状均有极显著差异(P=0.01),差异较大的表型性状为发芽率、百粒质量、种翅长和种翅宽。种源内和种源间各表型性状的变异系数(CV)均差异较大,种源内CV值为1.39%~45.56%,种源间CV值为6.45%~42.76%;其中,种源内种翅长和种翅宽的CV平均值较大,发芽率和百粒质量的CV平均值均较小,而种源间发芽率和百粒质量的CV值则较大。主成分分析结果表明：暴马丁香表型性状间的差异主要体现在种子长、种子宽和叶长,其次为株高、发芽率、地径、叶宽和种翅宽。根据聚类分析结果,供试的10个种源被划分为4类,其中,来源于北京和内蒙古及3个来源于河北的种源聚为Ⅰ类,来源于黑龙江哈尔滨的2个种源聚为Ⅱ类,来源于山西的2个种源聚为Ⅲ类,来源于青海的1个种源单独聚为Ⅳ类,聚类结果与各种源的地理分布有关。相关性分析结果表明：各表型性状间及表型性状与地理-气候因子间均存在不同的相关性,其中,种子发芽率与种子的其他5个表型性状均无显著相关性;经度和纬度与各表型性状均无显著相关性,而海拔、年均温和无霜期则是影响表型性状变异的主要因子。综合分析结果显示：暴马丁香各种源间存在明显的地理遗传分化,地理隔离和生态因子的大幅变化导致其种子和幼苗的表型性状变异丰富。根据研究结果,对暴马丁香的保护和利用提出了一些建议。     

中国竹类植物基本形态学功能性状的比较

竹类植物作为一种克隆植物, 无次生生长过程, 具有独特的生长和繁殖特性。但有关不同类群竹类植物功能性状的变异规律所知甚少。本文以在中国分布的34属534种竹类植物为研究对象, 从Flora of China中收集和整理其秆高、直径、节间长、竹壁厚、叶长、叶宽等基本形态学功能性状, 根据竹类植物生物学特性, 按地下茎划分为丛生、散生和混生3个类群, 按出笋季节划分为春、夏、秋、冬4个类群, 按分布范围划分为中国特有(371个中国特有种)和非特有2个类群, 再采用方差分析和多重比较探讨不同类群竹类植物在基本形态学性状上的分异格局, 采用主成分分析揭示各个功能性状之间的内在关联, 剖析不同类群竹类植物功能性状的变异。结果表明: 丛生竹、散生竹和混生竹之间功能性状差异显著, 丛生竹具有最大的秆高、直径、节间长、竹壁厚, 最小的叶长和叶宽, 散生竹次之, 而混生竹则具有最小的秆性状和最大的叶性状。中国特有种在秆高、直径、竹壁厚、叶长方面显著小于非特有种。竹类植物秆高、直径、节间长、竹壁厚之间均呈显著正相关, 叶长和叶宽之间存在显著正相关。竹类植物在垂直方向上的大小性状(主要包括直径、秆高和竹壁厚)在第一主轴具有较大的贡献率, 而在水平方向上的叶片功能性状(叶长和叶宽)在第二主轴上贡献率最大。由此可见, 竹类植物在水平方向和垂直方向上对光资源的捕获差异可能是驱动竹类植物系统演化、特有性分布和出笋季节差异的关键因素。     

Increased totipotency of protoplasts from Brassica oleracea plants previously regenerated in tissue culture

Factors affecting the division of cells derived from leaf and cotyledon protoplasts from Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (Green Comet hybrid broccoli) were examined to optimize conditions for plant regeneration and to determine whether there was a genetic basis for improved regeneration from protoplasts derived from plants previously regenerated from tissue cultures [15]. When leaf protoplasts from different plants grown from hybrid seed were isolated and cultured simultaneously, division efficiencies of 1–95% were obtained. Cells from some plants showed high division efficiencies in consecutive experiments while cells from other plants had consistently low division rates. More plants from hybrid seed gave high division efficiencies when cotyledon protoplasts were used. However, cotyledon or leaf protoplasts from selfed progeny of regenerated plants produced more vigorous calli and more shoots than protoplasts from hybrid seed. These results suggest that there may be a genetic component to the increased totipotency of Brassica oleracea protoplasts.