Genomic and cDNA microsatellites from apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

We developed primers for the amplification of 24 polymorphic nuclear microsatellites in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Thirteen loci originated from three genomic libraries enriched for TC, TG and AAG motifs. Eight loci were developed from three fruit EST (Expressed‐Sequence‐Tag) libraries and three from a leaf cDNA microsatellite‐enriched library. There were up to nine alleles per polymorphic locus in 12 different cultivars. No difference in allele numbers were shown between cDNA and genomic‐source loci. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.65 (range: 0.15–0.87). Mendelian segregation was confirmed for all loci. These markers should be helpful for diversity studies, genome mapping and cultivar identification in apricot and related species.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature zygotic embryos of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Summary Immature zygotic embryos from open-pollinated and selfed Carica papaya L. fruits, 90 to 114 days post-anthesis, produced 2 to 20 somatic embryos on apical domes, cotyledonary nodes, and radicle meristems after culture for three weeks on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 to 25 mg l^–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 400 mg l^–1 glutamine, and 6% sucrose. After six weeks of culture, about 40 to 50% of the zygotic embryos had become embryogenic, and each embryogenic embryo yielded hundreds of somatic embryos within five months of culture on media supplemented with 2,4-D. Somatic embryos matured on half-strength MS medium, germinated on MS medium containing 5 mg l^–1 kinetin, and grew large enough for greenhouse culture on MS medium. Shoots were rooted in vermiculite and grown in the greenhouse.Journal Series no. 3449 of the Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources     

Shoot regeneration of young leaf explants from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Summary An efficient plant regeneration protocol was successfully developed for basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Explants from 1 mo. old seedlings yielded the highest frequency of 85% regeneration with an average of 5.1 shoots per explant. The regeneration protocol was performed on three basil varieties (Sweet Dani; methylcinnamate; Green Purple Ruffles). Callus and shoot induction was initiated on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with thidiazuron (16.8 μM) for approximately 30 d. Shoot induction and development were achieved by refreshing the induction medium after 14 d. The most morphogenetically responsive explants were from the first fully expanded true leaves of greenhouse-grown basil seedlings. All developing bud tissue demonstrated temporary anthocyanin expression; however, anthocyanin expression in Green Purple Ruffles remained stable until maturity. Developing shoots were rooted in the dark on media with thidiazuron removed. Within 20 d, rooted plantlets were transferred and acclimatized under greenhouse conditions where they developed normal morphological characteristics. This is the first report of a successful in vitro regeneration system for basil through primary callus.     

Role of endogenous purine metabolism in thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Somatic embryogenesis was induced at the hypocotyledonary notch region of intact peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedings cultured on a medium containing 10 mol·L^–1 thidiazuron (TDZ). Inclusion of the purine analogs 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP), azaadenine or azaguanine to the thidiazuron amended medium inhibited the embryogenic response of the seedlings. DAP-mediated inhibition was not overcome by the addition of adenine sulphate. Inhibition of the embryogenic response by DAP provides evidence that the TDZ-induced accumulation of purine cytokinins is an essential component of TDZ-induced somatic embryogenesis process. Analyses of the endogenous level of purine metabolites indicated that supplementation of the media with TDZ resulted in an overall increase in the endogenous cytokinins while DAP inhibited the purine recycling resulting in decreased levels of endogenous adenine and zeatin.     

Plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> from cell suspension cultures

A method for plant regeneration in Robinia pseudoacacia L. from cell suspension culture was established. Non regenerative friable callus from hypocotyls and cotyledon explants from in vitro raised seedling induced on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.05 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for initiation of cell suspension cultures on same MS medium but without agar. Single cells were isolated after 3 d and the optimum cell density was 1–3 × 10⁴ cells per cm³ of the liquid MS medium. Plating efficiency was 29.6 % and callus formed within 4 weeks was subcultured and transferred to solid MS medium supplemented with 0.6 mg dm⁻³ benzyladenine (BA) along with 0.05 mg dm⁻³ α-naphthalene-1-acetic acid (NAA) for the induction of adventitious bud primordia. The shoots developed were isolated and re-cultured on MS medium containing 0.6 mg dm⁻³ BA. These microshoots after dipping in 1–2 cm³ of 10 mg dm⁻³ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 24 h in dark were cultured on half strength solid MS medium supplemented with 0.05 % charcoal and showed 80–82 % rooting within 4 weeks.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) leaf explants

A protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation for scored, whole leaf explants of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cultivar Helena was developed. Regenerated shoots were selected using a two-step increased concentrations of paromomycin sulphate. Different factors affecting survival of transformed buds, including possible toxicity of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and time of exposure to high cytokine concentration in the regeneration medium, were examined. Transformation efficiency, based on PCR analysis of individual putative transformed shoots from independent lines was 5.6%, when optimal conditions for bud survival were provided. Southern blot analysis on four randomly chosen PCR-positive shoots confirmed the presence of the nptII transgene. This is the first time that stable transformation of an apricot cultivar is reported and constitutes also one of the few reports on the transformation of Prunus cultivars.     

The development of somatic embryos in tissue cultures initiated from immature embryos of Picea abies (Norway Spruce)

Embryos of Picea abies at various developmental stages were cultured on defined media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (10^?5 M) and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) (5×10^?6 M). The immature embryos gave rise to a highly friable and embryogenic callus which could be maintained by subculture and contained polarized and organized structures (somatic embryos) consisting of long highly vacuolated cells at one end (suspensor) and a group of small meristematic cells at the other (embryonal end). These structures closely resembled the early stages of normal zygotic embryogeny. Upon further culture these structures formed a bipolar shoot-root axis with an independent and closed vascular system. In many instances either the shoot or the root meristems failed to differentiate. Embryogenic tissues obtained on agar media could be transferred to liquid media and maintained by subculture for at least 6 months. The development of somatic embryos was observed in the liquid cultures also.     

Efficient plant regeneration of native spearmint (Mentha spicata L.)

Summary Protocols and media constituents for efficient in vitro plant regeneration of Native Spearmint (Mentha spicata L. cultivar ‘Native Spearmint’) have been defined. Adventitious shoots were initiated either directly from morphogenetically competent cells of explants or primary callus. Leaf explants from at least 2-mo.-old in vitro-maintained shoots exhibited the greatest morphogenetic capacity. Explants derived from basal portions of leaves at the bottom of the shoot were most responsive, with up to a 100% regeneration frequency and greater than nine shoots per explant. Highest frequency of meristemoids and morphogenetic callus were initiated from explants cultured onto a basal medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts, supplemented with 4 mg thidiazuron (TDZ) per L and 25% (vol/vol) coconut water (CW) for 10 to 14 d in darkness. Bud and shoot development required removal of both TDZ and CW from the medium. Shoot propagules were transferred to basal medium supplemented with 0.01 mg α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) per L and grown under low light for about 2 wk to facilitate shoot elongation. Individual shoots about 1 cm tall were dissected and retransferred onto the same medium. Root initiation began within 4 to 6 d and a functional root system developed within 2 to 3 wk. These plantlets were transferred to soil and acclimated successfully for growth and development in a greenhouse. This is the first report of an efficient regeneration system for Native Spearmint based on adventitious organogenesis.     

Purification and biochemical characteristics of pectinesterase from Malatya apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

Pectinesterase (PE) in Malatya apricot pulp (Prunus armeniaca L.) was extracted and purified through (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation, dialysis, and DEAE-Sephadex gel filtration chromatography. The samples obtained from the dialysis procedure, named partially purified enzyme, were used for characterization of the apricot pectinesterase. The effect of various factors such as pH, temperature, heat, and storage stability on the partially purified apricot PE enzyme was investigated. Optimum pH value was 9.0 for PE with 1% pectin in 0.1 N NaCl (w/v). The optimum temperature for apricot PE was found to be 60 degrees C on standard analysis conditions. Heat inactivation studies showed a decrease in enzymatic activity at temperatures above 70 degrees C. Km and V(max) values were 0.77 mM and 1.75 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) for apricot PE. Five inhibitors were tested in the study; the most effective inhibitor was found to be sodium carbonate (100% inhibition). The order of inhibitory effectiveness was: Na(2)CO(3), iodine, lauril sulphate, AgNO(3), EDTA. Thermal inactivation data indicated that apparent activation energy with pectin substrate was 2.96 kcal mol(-1) for the enzyme. Ascorbic acid, CaCl(2), and KCl showed activatory effect on the apricot PE enzyme.     

Plant regeneration from immature cotyledon explant cultures of bean (P. coccineus L.)

A method for plant regeneration, via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, from P. coccineus is described. Immature cotyledons from plants regenerated and cloned in previous experiments were used. The highest percentage of regeneration (37.5%) was observed from the cotyledons of clone C7 on a modified Murashige & Skoog basal medium to which (2-isopentenyl)adenine (2iP, 10 mg l^-1) and 2-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA, 0.05 mg l^-1) were added. On average, the same medium gave the highest percentage of regeneration also from the cotyledons of the 7 clones of P. coccineus used in the experiment. Newly regenerated plants were normally fertile. The procedure described may serve for induction of somaclonal variation for in vitro selection of valuable genotypes and for genetic transformation by A. tumefaciens.Abbreviations 6BA 6-benzylaminopurine - CCC chlorocholine chloride - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - 2iP (2-isopentenyl)adenine - NOA 2-naphthoxyacetic acid     

Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants of almond (Prunus dulcis mill.)

Summary A method has been developed to facilitate shoot formation from leaf explants of almond. Leaves were dissected from micropropagated shoot cultures of the commercial cultivars Nonpareil and Ne Plus Ultra, and sections incubated on Almehdi and Parfitt's (1986) basal medium (AP) with varied plant growth-regulator conditions. Three auxins, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), in combination with two cytokinins, benzylaminopurine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ), were tested at various concentrations along with casein hydrolysate (CH) to determine, the conditions most conducive to adventitious shoot regeneration. Response to the tested plant growth-regulator conditions varied with genotype. Of the three auxins tested, NAA and IBA induced adventitious shoots from Ne Plus Ultra explants, but only IBA was effective for Nonpareil. For the cytokinins, shoot development from Ne Plus Ultra occurred in the presence of either BA or TDZ, whereas for Nonpareil only TDZ was effective unless CH was incorporated in the basal medium. The inclusion of CH (0.1% w/v) improved callus morphology, and increased regeneration frequencies for both cultivars. Maximum regeneration frequencies for Ne Plus Ultra (44.4%) and Nonpareil (5.5%) were achieved on AP basal salts supplemented with CH, IBA (9.8 μM), and TDZ at 22.7 and 6.8 μM, respectively.     

Effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration on somatic embryogenesis and heritable variation in soybean [Glycine max (L) merr.]

Summary The frequency and quality of embryogenic response from cotyledons of immature zygotic soybean embryos varied with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) concentration in the culture medium. The frequency of variants among progeny of regenerated plants decreased with an increase of 2,4-D concentration. Teratogenic effects on embryo morphology and development were greatest at 22.5μM 2,4-D and decreased with increasing 2,4-D. At the lowest 2,4-D concentration tested, 22.5μM, morphologically abnormal, cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos were produced. Ten percent or less of these embryos converted to plants. Over the nine genotypes tested, 40% of the families derived from plants regenerated under a low 2,4-D concentration manifested heritable variation. In contrast, embryogeny was suppressed at the globular stage by the highest 2,4-D concentration tested, 200μM. Eighty to one-hundred percent of the embryos organized under this latter 2,4-D level converted to plants. Only 3% of the families from the progeny of plants regenerated under a high 2,4-D concentration exhibited heritable variation. This is Journal Paper No. J-14217 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 2974. The mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the United States Department of Agriculture or Iowa State University and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable. This work was supported, in part, by American Soybean Association grant no. 400-46-73-15-2763.     

A simple method for the recovery of multiple fertile plants from individual somatic embryos of soybean [Glycine max (L.) merrill]

Summary We describe a method for obtaining and proliferating multiple, fertile plants from somatic embryos of several experimental and commercial soybean varieties. Shoot-bud cultures were initiated by placing cotyledonary and torpedo-stage somatic embryos derived from immature seedling cotyledons onto Cheng’s basal medium (CBO) containing 0.5 to 2.5 mg/liter 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). Prolific masses of adventitious shoots were produced within 6 to 18 wk. These cultures can be propagated indefinitely with regular subcultures to CBO containing 0.5 mg/liter 6-BA. Individual shoots were separated from the clusters and were rooted on CBO medium without exogenous growth regulators. By this method any number of plants can be produced from individual somatic embryos. The risk of losing valuable genotypes (e.g., derived from in vitro selection or transformation) due to inefficient embryo germination and embryo-to-plant conversion is thus greatly reduced. Plants were established in the greenhouse and progenies were field tested. Progenies from shoot-bud culture-derived plants showed no somaclonal variation for the seven recessive marker traits or quantitative agronomic characters evaluated under field conditions.     

Callus formation and plant regeneration from immature and mature embryos of rye (Secale cereale L.)

Summary An efficient protocol was developed to regenerate entire plants from immature embryos of elite genotypes of rye as a prerequisite to plant transformation. Three winter genotypes and one spring genotype were tested using both immature and mature embryos as explants. Four types of callus initiation media and five kinds of regeneration media were tested in all possible combinations. Immature embryos gave much higher levels of plant regeneration than mature embryos, but mature embryos could be induced to regenerate plants for all genotypes and media tested, although at low levels. A minimum stage of embryo development must be reached before embryos can be cultured successfully. Genotypic effects were less pronounced than those reported for inbred cereal species such as wheat and barley, but there was an effect of genotype on percentage of callus formation. There was a significant interaction between genotype and initiation media. Composition of the initiation media affected both the percentage of callus formation from embryos and subsequent frequencies of plant regeneration. Composition of the regeneration media had no effect on level of plant regeneration. Immature embryos of all genotypes tested could be induced to produce 90–100% callus on appropriate initiation media and all regenerated shoots from approximately one-half to three-quarters of the calluses produced.     

Influence of intraovular reserves on ovule fate in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

 In many plant species with multiovulate ovaries, a considerable reduction in the number of ovules takes place. However, the underlying physiological causes are not clear. In Prunus spp., although flowers present two ovules, usually only one seed is produced. We have followed the development and degeneration of the two ovules in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) and examined the extent to which carbohydrates within the ovule might be involved in determining the fate of the ovule. While the primary ovule grows in the days following anthesis, growth of the secondary ovule is arrested. Starch distribution along the different ovular tissues exhibits several changes that are different in the two ovules. Primary ovule growth is inversely related to starch content and this growth takes place independently of pollination since it occurs in the same way in pollinated and unpollinated flowers. In the secondary ovule, starch disappears simultaneously from all ovular structures and callose is layered at the chalazal end of the nucellus. The size of the secondary ovule does not change significantly from anthesis to degeneration, and callose starts to accumulate 5 days after anthesis. Likewise, this process occurs independently of pollination. These results are discussed in terms of the implications of the starch content of ovules in fertilization success and ovule fate. Received: 26 August 1997 / Revision accepted: 17 December 1997     

Inheritance of resistance to Plum pox virus in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

The inheritance of resistance to Plum pox virus (PPV) has been studied in 1,178 apricot hybrids. Seven hundred and eighteen F1 hybrids, obtained from controlled crosses between the susceptible Greek cultivar “Bebecou” and the resistant PPV cultivars of American origin (“Stark Early Orange,” ‘NJA2,” ‘Veecot,” “Sunglo,” “Harlayne,” and “Orangered”) were evaluated for resistance to the PPV-M (Marcus) strain, 8 years after artificial inoculation. The inheritance of resistance to PPV has been additionally studied for the first time in a BC₁ population of 95 apricot hybrids for four vegetative periods. Reaction of each hybrid to PPV-M was scored through visual symptoms, indexing onto GF-305 and double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Segregation within the hybrids, determined by Chi-squared analysis, fits a 1:1 ratio (P ≤ 0.05) of the resistant vs susceptible, indicating that resistance to PPV is controlled by a single dominant gene locus and that the above six resistant cultivars are heterozygous for the trait. Plants carrying this gene may initially develop disease symptoms on leaves but eventually recover and no virus can be detected in leaves. Susceptible plants show similar symptoms initially but remain symptomatic. Inheritance of resistance to PPV also has been studied in 365 F1 hybrids by crossing the resistant cultivar “Stella” with the susceptible “Bebecou” and the resistant cultivars “Sunglo” and “NJA2,” for 8 years after inoculation. The segregation ratio was 1:0 (resistant/susceptible) suggesting that “Stella” is homozygous for the resistance trait. The purpose of this work was the enhancement of the knowledge of inheritance of resistance to PPV for the selection of new cultivars.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature embryo cultures of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Somatic embryos were obtained and plants regenerated from immature embryos of onion following culture on embryogenic induction media. Highest rates of somatic embrogenesis resulted from 0.5- to 1.5-mm immature embryos cultured on media containing 5 mg/l of picloram. Somatic embryos formed either directly on the surface of embryos or developed from compact cultures. The production of somatic embryos was significantly affected by the addition of auxin, embryo size and cultivar. The potential of somatic embryogenic cultures for plantlet regeneration has been maintained for over 1 year in some lines. Three types of immature-embryo-derived cultures were characterized by histology. Some cultures were morphologically similar to immature-embryo-derived embryogenic cultures of other monocotyledonous species. Cultures such as these have proven to be useful target tissues in transformation studies. Received: 16 December 1997 / Revision received: 23 February 1998 / Accepted: 13 March 1998     

Plant regeneration from cultured immature embryos of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Summary Immature embryos of 20 sorghum genotypes were cultured on MS 5 medium containing MS mineral salts supplemented with 2,4-D, zeatin, glycine, niacinamide, Ca-pantothenate, L-asparagine, and vitamins. For regeneration, calli were transferred onto the same medium with the exception that IAA was substituted for 2,4-D. In general, immature embryos obtained 9–12 days after pollination resulted in the best redifferentiation. Ability of calli to regenerate varied among genotypes; cultivars C401-1 and C625 had the highest redifferentiation frequencies. Ability to redifferentiate was heritable and acted as a dominant trait. At least two gene pairs were involved. Regenerated R₀ plants were planted in a greenhouse and their selfed (R₁ and R₂) progenies were planted in the field and examined for morphological and cytological variations. The majority of the phenotypic variations noted in R₀ were not transmitted to later generations. However, variants for plant height, degree of fertility, and midrib color persisted in R₁ and R₂ generations. A variation in tallness was attributable to one dominant mutant gene. Short stature and male sterility variants appeared to be consequences of recessive mutant genes controlling those traits. Minor variations in peroxidase banding patterns were found among R₀ plants.This study was supported by a research grant from Kansas Sorghum Commission and by a Research Fellowship to the senior author from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, China. Contribution 86-456-J from the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station     

Uptake, transport and metabolism of 14C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (14C-2,4-D) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) explants

The uptake, distribution and metabolism of 2,4-D using 14C-labelled 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (14C-2,4-D) was studied in isolated hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in vitro. Cotyledons had a higher uptake capacity than hypocotyls; the uptake in cotyledons increased linearly up to 20 h, while in hypocotyls only up to 8 h. The distribution of 14C-activity in both organs was basipetal, but more pronounced in cotyledons. The 2,4-D taken up by cotyledons was metabolized very rapidly: only 7% of 14C-activity was associated with free 2,4-D after 20 h exposure. Hypocotyls metabolized 2,4-D more slowly: after 20 h 50% of the 14C-activity was still associated with free 2,4-D. After short incubation periods (2–5 h) 2,4-D-aspartate was a predominant metabolite, after longer incubation (8–20 h) 2,4-D-glucosyl ester prevailed. Roots or callus were formed on the base of cotyledons depending on the length of exposure to 2,4-D.