Plant regeneration from cell suspension-derived protoplasts of Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl

Summary Friable calli were induced on leaf segments of Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl. on B5 medium containing 1 mg l^–1 2,4-D and 2 g l^–1 casein hydrolysate. Cell suspension cultures were readily established from these friable calli and protoplasts could be isolated from the cells with yields of 1–3×10⁷/g f. wt.. By culturing in 0.1 % gellan gum-solidified B5 medium supplemented with 1 mg l^–1 2,4-D and 0.1 M each of sucrose and mannitol at a density of 1×10⁵/ml, the protoplasts divided within 6 days and formed macro-colonies after 2 months of culture. Shoot regeneration from protoplast-derived calli was obtained by sequential treatment of the calli with plant growth regulators: initially with 1 mg l^–1 each of NAA and BA for 2 months followed by 0.01 mg l^–1 NAA and 5 mg l^–1 BA for 4 months. Regenerated plants were established after rooting of the shoots on half-strength MS medium, and successfully transferred to the greenhouse. The regenerated plants grew into flowering stage and showed the same phenotype as the parent plant.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FDA fluorescein diacetate - f. wt fresh weight - MES 2-(N-morpholino)-ethanesulfonic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PE plating efficiency     

Effects of auxins and cytokinins on formation of Catharanthus roseus G. Don multiple shoots

The effects of different combinations of plant growth regulators and light intensity on the formation of multiple shoots of Catharanthus roseus (L.) were studied. By composing three dimension surfaces and their topo views from experimental data, it was clear that Murashige-Shoog (MS) medium supplemented with 7.0 mg l^-1 BA and 1.0 mg l^-1 NAA strongly stimulated the formation of shoots, whereas medium supplemented with 2,4-d suppressed the formation of shoots or caused shoot dedifferentiated. Light intensities of 550–700 Lux were found to be beneficial to the formation of shoots when MS medium was supplemented with 2 mg l^-1 6-BA and 0–1.0mg l^-1 NAA.Abbreviations BA-6 benzyladenine - NAA -naphthalenacetic acid - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Parameters influencing transient and stable transformation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) protoplasts

Cat gene expression has been investigated following PEG-mediated plasmid uptake into barley protoplasts. The uptake conditions optimised for transient expression were employed for stable transformation. Transformed protoplast-derived calli of the cvs. Dissa and Igri, were selected on medium containing G418 at 40 g ml^–1 or kanamycin sulphate at 250 g ml^–1. Absolute transformation frequencies of 28.9×10^–5 and 21.3×10^–5 were recorded for Dissa with kanamycin sulphate and G418 selection, respectively. The frequency for Igri was 11.5×10^–5 with G418 selection. Antibiotic resistant protoplast-derived colonies expressed NPTII activity; Southern hybridisation confirmed integration of the nptII gene into barley genomic DNA.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - AC-CAP acetylated chloramphenicol - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - cat chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene - CAT chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity - CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - CAP chloramphenicol, 2,4-d-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - G418 Geneticin - gus -glucuronidase gene - HEPES (N[2-hydroxyethyl] piperazine-N-[2-ethanesulphonic acid]) - IAA indole acetic acid - MES 2-N-morpholinoethane sulphonic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - npt II neomycin phosphotransferase gene - NPTH neomycin phosphotransferase activity - PEG polyethylene glycol - SCV settled cell volume     

Plantlet regeneration from petiole explants of the african horned cucumber,Cucumis metuliferus

Plantlet regeneration in Cucumis metuliferus from several explant sources, including cotyledons, leaves, hypocotyls and petioles, was evaluated on Murashige and Skoog's medium containing various combinations of auxin (IAA, NAA, 2,4-d) and cytokinin (BA, kinetin, zeatin), Callus development was obtained within 4 to 5 weeks on all growth regulator combinations which were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.0 M to 4.0 M of each. The response was similar when the tissues were incubated under light or in continuous darkness. Differentiation of callus to form adventitious buds or shoot primordia occurred only with petiole explants on medium containing NAA/BA or 2,4-d/BA at 2.0/1.0 M; none of these calluses, however, differentiated further to form shoots. When the differentiated calluses derived from petiole explants which had been initiated on 2,4-d/BA at 2.0/1.0 M were transferred onto medium with 2.0 M zeatin, formation of shoots occurred within 2 to 3 weeks. The frequency of shoot formation was 14.6%. Subculture of these shoots onto MS medium without growth regulators gave rise to plantlets of normal appearance. Regeneration in C. metuliferus requires callus initiation on an appropriate growth regulator regime followed by transfer to a medium containing the cytokinin, zeatin, and can be achieved within 10–12 weeks.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA napthaleneacetic acid     

Isolation and cell regeneration of protoplasts from sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)

Protoplasts were isolated at high yields from actively growing callus and cell suspensions of cotyledons and needles of mature trees. The best protoplast growth response was obtained from cell suspensions of cotyledon and needle callus. Lower protoplast yields were obtained directly from young needles of flushing buds on explants from mature shoots (30-year-old trees) growing in vitro. In all cases, the first divisions, promoted by dimethyl sulfoxide, were observed in 10–45% of the protoplasts by 7–10 days. After 25–30 days, colonies of 8–10 cells were established. Browning of protoplast-derived cell cultures was observed within 40–45 days (cotyledons) and 20–25 days (mature tree sources).Abbreviations BA N⁶-Benzyladenine - DCR Douglas-fir cotyledon revised medium - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - FDA Fluorescein diacetate - Mes 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Effects of ascorbic acid on axillary shoot induction in Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill.

A procedure for rapid in vitro multiplication of Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill., an important indigenous medicinal plant, has been developed. Addition of ascorbic acid was essential to induce sprouting of axillary buds. Optimum multiplication was observed on MS medium containing 6-benzylamino purine (5.0 mg l^–1), -naphathalene-acetic acid (0.5 mg l^–1) and ascorbic acid (100 mg l^–1). Rooting of in vitro produced shoots was readily achieved with indole-3-acetic acid alone (1.0 mg l^–1) in MS. The plantlets thus obtained were successfully transferred to pots in large numbers which grew normally.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylamino purine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - 2ip 2-isopentenyladenine - Kn kinetin - MS Murashige & Skoog media - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid     

Plant regeneration from leaf mesophyll protoplasts of the tropical woody plant,passionfruit (Passiflora edulis fv flavicarpa Degener.): the importance of the antibiotic cefotaxime in the culture medium

Enzymatic digestion of newly expanded leaves of glasshouse-grown seedlings of passionfruit released protoplasts which exhibited highest division frequency (38.6%) when plated at a density of 1.5×10⁵ ppts ml^–1 in agarose-solidified droplets of KM8P medium containing the antibiotic cefotaxime (250 g ml^–1). Cefotaxime was essential for sustained cell division. Protoplast-derived calli were cultured on agarsolidified MS medium with 5.0 mg H NAA, 0.25 mg l^–1 BAP and additional vitamins. These calli regenerated shoots on transfer to MS medium with 1.0 mg l^–1 BAP. Regenerated shoots were rooted in half-strength MS medium with 3.0 mg l^–1 IBA and 0.5 mg l^–1 NAA (7 d), followed by sub-culture to MS medium lacking growth regulators. The ability to regenerate plants from protoplasts of passionfruit is discussed in relation to the application of somatic cell techniques for the genetic improvement of this economically important tropical woody plant.Abbreviations B5 medium after Gamborg et al. (1968) - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - d day - FDA fluorescein diacetate - FPE final plating efficiency - f. wt fresh weight - h hour - 1BA 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid - IPE initial plating efficiency - MES 2-N-morpholinoethane sulphonic acid - MS medium after Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PVP-10 polyvinylpyrrolidone (M. Wt. 10,000) - rpm rotations per minute     

Clonal propagation of Camptotheca acuminata through shoot bud culture

The chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata produces the anti-cancer and anti-retroviral drug camptothecin. Methods were developed for the clonal propagation of this important medicinal plant through shoot bud culture. Shoot buds were excised from 25 to 30 day old seedlings, presoaked for 48 h in three different liquid media containing either BA (2.22–17.4 M), kinetin (2.32–18.58 M), or thidiazuron (0.1–10 M) and were subsequently cultured on semi-solid medium of the same composition. Multiple shoots only developed from the 6-benzyladenine presoaked explants with the maximum number of shoots initiated from buds presoaked in and grown on B5 medium containing 17.4 M 6-benzyladenine. Individual shoots were removed from clusters and rooted on B5 supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (4.9–19.6 M). The lowest concentration of indole-3-butyric acid (4.9 M) gave the highest percentage of rooting (82%) and the shortest root initiation period (18 d). Over 90% of the in vitro rooted plantlets survived transfer to soil.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - B5 Gamborg's B5 medium (Gamborg et al., 1968) - CPT camptothecin - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - kinetin 6-furfurylaminopurine - LS Linsmaier & Skoog medium (Linsmaier & Skoog, 1965) - MS Murashige & Skoog (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) - NAA I-naphthaleneacetic acid - PGR plant growth regulator - TDZ thidiazuron - WPM woody plant medium (Lloyd & McCown, 1981)     

Cauliflower inflorescence protoplast culture and plant regeneration

A yield of 2–4×10⁶ protoplasts/g F.W. could be obtained when fresh cauliflower inflorescence segments were digested with 2% cellulase Onozuka R-10, 1% cellulase RS and 0.4% Macerozyme R-10 in CPW18S for 7 to 10 h. Purified protoplasts were cultured in K8p liquid and agarose medium. Although protoplasts in liquid medium divided earlier than in agarose, protoplast-derived cells in liquid culture could not avoid browning. With agarose culture, sustained division and callus formation could be achieved. After 20 days, calli were transferred onto B5 agar medium with ZT 1.5 mg l^-1, BA 0.5 mg l^-1 and IAA 0.1 mg l^-1 for shoot formation. The frequency of bud formation varied from 56.7% for calli of 1mm in size to 5.6% for 5mm calli. The shoots formed were rooted in B5 medium containing 0.5 mg l^-1 IBA, and the regenerated plants were transplanted to pots and grew normally. It took about two months from protoplasts to the regenerated plants.Abbreviations Ade adenine - BA 6-benzyl aminopurine - CH casein hydrolysate - CM coconut milk - 2,4-D 2,4,-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - Gln glutamine - NAA -naphthylacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - ZT zeatin     

Plant regeneration in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) via coleoptile tissue cultures

Summary Plant regeneration in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. cv. Touchdown) via culture of seedling tissues was investigated. When coleoptile, leaf, and stem sections of dark-germinated seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, different types of callus were produced, depending on the expiant source and growth regulator combinations. Only compact-friable callus (type 3) and moderately compact, friable callus (type 2) produced shoots upon subculture. The nonstructured watery callus (type 4) produced roots without shoots. Shoot differentiation from callus tissues was highest when the culture medium contained 0.2 mgL^–1 picloram + 0.01 mgL^–1 -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Calli grown from coleoptiles had higher shoot regeneration frequency (32%) than that obtained from either stem sections (12%) or young leaf tissues (2%) of the same seedlings. Some organogenic callus lines produced exclusively green plants, while others produced albino shoots or a mixture of green and albino shoots. The green plants were multiplied in a medium containing 0.1 mgL^–1 BAP plus either 0.2 mgL^–1 picloram or 0.1 mgL^–1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Over 90% of the cultures in the shoot proliferation medium produced roots in 4 weeks. The rooted plants were successfully established in soil medium and grown in the greenhouse.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - picloram 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid - TDZ thidiazuron     

Rapid and high frequency shoot regeneration from hypocotyl protoplasts of Brassica nigra

Protoplasts, isolated from etiolated hypocotyls of seven day old seedlings of Brassica nigra, were cultured in Kao's liquid medium containing 7.2% glucose, 2,4-d (1 mg 1^-1), NAA (0.1 mg 1^-1) and zeatin riboside (0.5 mg 1^-1). After initial incubation for 3 days in dark at 25±1°C, cultures were transferred to a photoperiod cycle of 16/8 h and diluted on seventh and tenth day with MS medium containing 3.4% sucrose, 2,4-d (0.1 mg 1^-1) and BAP (1 mg 1^-1). About 62% of the cells divided at least once and 46% of them reached 8–16 cell stage in one week. The dividing cell clusters could be plated on agarose medium on the fifteenth day to obtain proliferating minicalli with a plating efficiency of 1.8%. 56.8% of minicalli, regenerated shoots on a regeneration medium containing 2 IP and IAA at 1 and 0.2 mg 1^-1 respectively. The in vitro produced shoots were rooted in MS medium containing 1 mg 1^-1 IBA and established in soil without difficulty. The time taken for protoplasts to develop into plants varied from 9 to 10 weeks.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2 IP 2-isopentenyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - Kn kinetin     

Tissue culture ofKarwinskia humboldtiana—a plant producing toxins with antitumoural effects

Isolated embryos ofKarwinskia humboldtiana were cultured in vitro. The growth of embryos and development to plantlets on woody plant medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid 6.10^-2 mol l^–1, gibberellic acid (GA₃) 3.10^-2 mol l^–1, and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) 2 mol l^–1 was obtained. Multiplication of shoots and rooting of excised shoots has been achieved. Callus formation on modified Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid 10 mol l^–1, GA₃ 14 mol l^–1, and kinetin 5 mol l^–1 on hypocotyls, or on root cultures on medium supplemented with 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 10 mol l^–1 and BA 10 mol l^–1 was induced.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Establishment and characterization of photoautotrophic protoplast-derived cultures ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia

A procedure is described for the rapid establishment of photoautotrophic protoplast-derived cultures ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia. Photoautotrophic growth was induced by lowering the glucose concentration to 2.5 g.l^–1 in the protoplast culture medium and by omitting glucose from the subsequent dilution medium. Four week-old highly viable suspensions were plated on an agar-medium without glucose in unsealed Petri dishes and kept in illuminated chambers flushed with 0.05 % or 2 % CO₂. Air-grown calli had net photosynthesis rates of 1.8 and 17 moles CO₂.g^–1 fresh wt.h^–1 in air at 0.034 % CO₂ and in air enriched with 1 % CO₂, respectively. Calli grown in 2 % CO₂ exhibited lower rates of net photosynthesis at the two CO₂ concentrations tested (0 and 7.5 moles CO₂.g^–1 fresh wt.h^–1, respectively). The contribution of photosynthesis to growth was estimated to be 80 % in air-grown calli and more than 90 % in calli grown in 2 % CO₂. The suitability of this photoautotrophic culture procedure is discussed with regard to the screening of photosynthetic mutants or transformants from protoplasts.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IAA indoleacetic acid - Rubisco ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from cell suspension cultures of the wild tomato,Lycopersicon chilense Dun.

A protocol has been established for rapid, high frequency plant regeneration from protoplasts of the wild tomato species Lycopersicon chilense Dun. Cell suspension cultures were obtained from calli initiated from seedling stem explants. Protoplasts were isolated from cell suspensions by an overnight one-step enzyme digestion, purified by washing in salts solution and cultured in liquid medium. Dilution of liquid medium every 3 days, with medium containing low levels of growth regulators and sucrose, was critical for sustained colony formation. Up to 70% of protoplast-derived calli regenerated shoots when cultured on agar-solidified medium with Murashige & Skoog (1962) salts and vitamins, 2.0 mg l^-1 zeatin and 0.1 mg l^-1 indole acetic acid for 21 days, followed by transfer to the same medium lacking indole acetic acid.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IAA indole acetic acid - IBA indole butyric acid - MES-2 (N-morpholino)-ethane sulfonic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Growth of Albugo candida (race unidentified) on Brassica juncea callus cultures

An obligate fungus Albugo candida (Pers. ex Lév.) Ktze. (race unidentified) was successfully grown on host callus tissues of Brassica juncea cv. Varuna. Of the various type of diseased explants used, young (green) hypertrophied inflorescence axis bearing non-erumpent zoosporangial blisters allowed the fungus to multiply asexually over the host calli on modified MS-medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962). The dual cultures were maintained up to 6–8 subcultures without loss of viability of zoosporangia on MS-medium supplemented with 10.0 mg L^–1 IBA, 0.05 mg L^–1 kinetin, 25.0 mg L^–1 AA, 1.0 mg L^–1 biotin, 1.0 mg L^–1 thiamine-HCl and 1.0 g L^–1 casein hydrolysate. The fungus grew only on the callus cells and not axenically on the medium. Pathogenicity test and histopathology of cultures proved the existence of the viable fungus in vitro.Abbreviations AA ascorbic acid - BAP 6-benzyl aminopurine - CH casein hydrolysate acid hydrolysed - 2,4-D-2,4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - FAA formaldehyde acetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - HgCl₂ mercuric chloride - Kinetin 6-furfuryl aminopurine - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA alpha naphthalene acetic acid - rh relative humidity - sdw sterile distilled water - wt. weights     

Regeneration of the tropical legume Aeschynomene sensitiva Sw. from root explants

Regeneration of Aeschynomene sensitiva Sw. after callogenesis was obtained from small (2–5 mm long) root explants of 30-day-old seedlings aseptically cultivated on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various concentrations of growth regulators. After 4 weeks, the best results were observed with 0.54 M -naphthaleneacetic acid and 2.22 M benzyladenine. On this medium, the rate of regeneration depended on seedling age and agar concentration. The highest number of shoots per explant was obtained with small cuttings from 30-day-old seedlings grown on a medium containing 8 g l^–1 of agar. Regeneration success was also dependent on explant size. When longer explants (7–20 mm) were cut from the main root, direct regeneration was obtained in two weeks. These cuttings also generated shoots through callogenesis in four weeks but always in lower quantities than with direct regeneration, whatever the seedling age. here also, the best regeneration was obtained with cuttings from 30-day-old seedlings maintained on a medium with 8 g l^–1 of agar. Regenerants were rooted on growth-regulator-free Murashige and Skoog medium and then acclimatized in a greenhouse. A better survival to transplantation was observed when plantlets were inoculated with the photosynthetic Bradyrhizobium strain ORS 278. Stem and root nodules developed on the inoculated plantlets and were able to fix nitrogen.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA - naphthaleneacetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog (1962) medium     

In vitro plantlet regeneration from cotyledon, hypocotyl and root explants of hybrid seed geranium

In vitro plantlet regeneration systems for the seed geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) using cotyledon, hypocotyl and root explants were optimized by studying the influence of seedling age, growth regulators and excision orientation on organogenesis. Indole-3-acetic acid combined with zeatin yielded the highest rate of shoot production on cotyledon explants (0.2–2 shoots per explant). More shoots were produced on explants cut from the most basal region of cotyledons from 2 to 4-day-old seedlings than from older seedlings or more distal cut sites. Hypocotyl explants produced the highest number of shoots, up to 40 shoots per explant, on indole-3-acetic acid (2.8–5.6 mM) + zeatin (4.6 mM) or thidiazuron (4.5 mM). Maximum shoot formation (0.3–1.4 shoots per explant) on root explants occurred when they were cultured on medium containing zeatin. Regenerated shoots rooted best on a basal medium containing no growth regulators. There were substantial differences among cultivars in shoot formation from each of the explant systems.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - TDZ thidiazuron     

In vitro high frequency plant regeneration from hypocotyl and root segments of spinach by organogenesis

An efficient protocol for spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plant regeneration from hypocotyl and root segments was established. When the sub-apical hypocotyl and tip-free root segments were cultured on Murashige & Skoog (1962)-based medium containing high concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (85.62 M) and gibberellic acid (100 M), more than 75% and 90% of the hypocotyl and root explants, respectively, formed shoots. After elongation, more than 92% of the shoots rooted on medium supplemented with 2.85–5.71 M of indole-3-acetic acid. More than 70% of rooted plantlets survived in soil and were fertile. Significant interactions between growth regulator combinations, explant types and environmental conditions on shoot initiation, development and rooting were discussed.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - BM Murashige & Skoog basal medium - B5 Gamborg et al. medium (1968) - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2ip isopentenyladenine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog medium (1962) - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - HS hypocotyl segments - RSS root segments of seedlings - RSV foot segments of in vitro plantlets     

Development of in vitro procedures for regeneration of petiole and leaf expiants and production of protoplast-derived callus in Tanacetum vulgare L. (Tansy)

Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) was established in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) using shoot tips and embryos. From petiole expiants 93% formed callus, and 27% produced shoots on MS medium containing 4.5 mg l^-1 NAA and BAP. NAA alone induced root formation from leaf expiants. Up to 7 ×10⁶ viable protoplasts were obtained by macerating 1 g of leaves in 0.5 % Macerozyme R-10, 1.0% Cellulase R10, and 1.0% Cellulysin. Cell division was observed 3–4 days after protoplast isolation at the optimum plating density of 0.2-0.4×10⁶ cells ml^-1. A total of 350 protoplast-derived calluses were produced on which nodules with meristematic zones developed. Roots regenerated on MS medium supplemented with BAP 3.0 mg 1^-1, NAA 2.0 mg l^-1, and 250 mg l^-1 casein hydrolysate, however no shoots have been obtained yet.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - CH casein enzymatic hydrolysate - 2.4 D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FDA fluorescein diacetate - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IBA indole butyric acid - IPA 6-dimethylallylamino purine - KIN Kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Plant regeneration from patchouli protoplasts encapsulated in alginate beads

Mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from leaves of in vitro grown patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.). The protoplasts were encapsulated in alginate beads, approximately 2–3×10³ protoplasts per 25 l bead. Successful colony formation was induced when the protoplast beads were inoculated into a liquid medium supplemented with 10^-6 M NAA and 10^-5 M BA. The frequency of colony formation was improved greatly by the inclusion of several beads per ml medium. To induce high colony formation for a single bead, it was essential to culture protoplasts in the presence of nurse beads containing actively-growing cells of the same species. Rapid regeneration of plants from protoplast-derived calluses was accomplished by a two-step culture procedure with liquid and then solid media. Gas-chromatographic analyses showed that regenerated plants produced an essential oil comprising a full-set of patchouli sesquiterpenes.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - f. wt. fresh weight - GC gas chromatography - MES 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid