Effects of amino acids, nitrate, and ammonium on the growth and taxol production in cell cultures of Taxus yunnanensis

The effects of concentration of amino acids, nitrate, and ammonium on the growth and taxol production in cultures of cell line TY-21 of Taxus yunnanensis were investigated. Addition of 20 different amino acids each at 15–20 mg l^–1 to B5 medium significantly improved callus growth but inhibited taxol formation in the cultures. The optimum nitrate concentration was 20–30 mM for both growth and taxol production. Ammonium greatly suppressed growth but strongly promoted taxol formation in the cells when it was the sole inorganic nitrogen in the medium. Culturing the suspension cells in nitrate-containing medium for 15 days and then in a medium in which ammonium was the sole inorganic nitrogen for 7 days increased taxol yield by 104%, reaching up to 28.1 mg l^–1.     

Colony formation and plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum etuberosum

A procedure for the culture of Solanum etuberosum mesophyll protoplasts with subsequent shoot regeneration is described. Several factors affected protoplast yield, colony formation, and shoot regeneration from in vitro plants. A protoplast isolation medium with 0.6 M sucrose produced twice the yield as one with 0.3 M sucrose. uowever, a higher concentration of osmoticum was inhibitory to colony development unless it was diluted into a lower osmoticum medium in a bilayer system. A 16 hour light/8 hour dark photoperiod for stock plants allowed twice the protoplast yield compared to plants grown under continuous light but no effect was found on subsequent colony formation or shoot regeneration. The concentrations of four major salts in the protoplast plating medium were critical for a high frequency of colony formation from protoplasts. Levels of 0.25 × or 1 × were considerably better than 4 ×. Fast colony formation, but at a lower efficiency, was obtained with a monolayer plating method. A bilayer plating system allowed a higher efficiency but colonies developed more slowly. For the best treatments, the frequency of colony formation from protoplasts ranged from 2.4 to 3.6 × 10^-3 with 37% to 66% of the colonies producing shoots ten weeks after protoplast isolation.Cooperative investigation of the USDA-ARS and the Wisconsin Agric. Exp. Stn.     

Plant regeneration from indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) protoplasts

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants of the indica cultivar IR54 were regenerated from protoplasts. Conditions were developed for isolating and purifying protoplasts from suspension cultures with protoplast yields ranging from 1·10⁶ to 15·10⁶ viable protoplasts/1 g fresh weight. Protoplast viability after purification was generally over 90%. Protoplasts were cultured in a slightly modified Kao medium in a Petri plate by placing them onto a Millipore filter positioned on top of a feeder (nurse) culture containing cells from a suspension culture of the japonica rice, Calrose 76. Plating efficiencies of protoplasts ranged from 0.5 to 3.0%; it was zero in the absence of the nurse culture. Protoplast preparations usually contained no contaminating cells, and when present, the number of cells never exceeded 0.1% of the protoplasts. After three weeks the Millipore filter with callus colonies were transferred off feeder cells and onto a Linsmaier and Skoog-type medium for an additional three weeks. Selected callus colonies that had embryo-like structures were then transferred to regeneration medium containing cytokinins, and regeneration frequencies up to 80% were obtained. Small shoots emerged and were transferred to jars for root development prior to transferring to pots of soil and growing the plants to maturity in growth chambers. Of the cytokinins evaluated, N⁶-benzylaminopurine was the most effective in promoting shoot formation; however, kinetin was also somewhat effective. Regeneration medium could be either an N₆ or Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Of 76 plants grown to maturity, 62 were fertile, and the plant heights averaged about three-fourths the height of seed-grown plants.Two other suspension cultures of IR54, one developed from the protoplast callus of the initial IR54 line, and the other developed from callus produced by mature seeds, have yielded protoplasts capable of regenerating plants when using cells of the Calrose 76 suspension as a nurse culture. In addition, protoplasts obtained from three-week-old primary callus of immature embryos of IR54 were capable of regenerating plants when using the same culture conditions.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - pcy packed cell volume - BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - FDA fluorescein diacetate - FW fresh weight - IAA indole-3-acetic acid Media AA Muller and Grafe (1978) - CPW Frearson et al. (1973) - Kao^* Kao (1977) - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - N₆ Chu et al. (1975) - PCM Ludwig et al. (1985)     

Protoplast isolation and culture for somatic hybridization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus angustifolius</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">subcarnosus</Emphasis>

A method for isolation and shoot regeneration from electrofused protoplasts of L. angustifolius and L. subcarnosus was developed. Viable protoplasts were isolated from leaves of in-vitro grown seedlings at an average yield of 6 × 10⁵ protoplasts g⁻¹ fresh weight. Liquid and agarose solidified B5 media were used for protoplast culture. In the liquid-culture system, all tested media, VKM, P1 and KM8p, were applicable for inducing cell division (84% of all tested petri dishes at four weeks) and colony formation. Media containing additional carbohydrates were suitable to produce compact calli with green and brown pigmentations in different combinations. Analysis of callus with molecular markers allowed to identify six somatic hybrids. However, none of the parental-protoplast derived cell colonies could develop shoots. This is the first report on protoplast fusion of L. angustifolius and L. subcarnosus with subsequent shoot regeneration.     

Studies of cotyledon protoplast cultures from B napus,B. campestris and B. oleracea. II: Callus formation and plant regeneration

Cotyledons from twelve cultivars of Brassica; B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global, Pivot and Narc 82); B. campestris: (Arlo, Sonja, Bunyip and Wonk Bok) and B. oleracea (Phenomenal Early, Sugar Loaf and Earliball) were used for protoplast isolation and culture in a comparative study of cell colony and callus formation, and plant regeneration. The formation of cell colonies and callus from protoplast cultures were significantly influenced by the light conditions of seed germination. All twelve cultivars showed callus formation from protoplast cultures derived from cotyledons of seedlings grown in dark for 3 days followed by 1 day dim light (dark/dim light-grown). Callus was obtained in all five liquid media used: modified K8P(1), modified K8P(2), modified MS, modified B and modified NN. In contrast, only six cultivars exhibited callus formation from the protoplasts isolated from cotyledons of seedlings germinated under light conditions for 7 days (light-grown) and in only three media: modified K8P(1), modified MS, modified B.Callus, derived from protoplast cultures isolated from dark/dim light-grown cotyledons and grown on K3 or MS series solid media for about 1 month, could develop shoots when further transferred onto MS series regeneration media. All five cultivars of B. napus, three of the four cultivars of B. campestris (Arlo, Sonja and Bunyip) and one of the three cultivars of B. oleracea (Sugar Loaf) exhibited shoot regeneration from protoplast cultures within 2–3 months after protoplast isolation. The frequency of shoot regeneration ranged among 1–22.5%. A high degree of reproducibility was observed in cultivars Westar, Eureka, Global, Arlo, Bunyip and Sugar Loaf. In contrast, among the six cultivars that formed callus in protoplast culture derived from light-grown cotyledons, only three cultivars from B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global) exhibited shoot regeneration 5.5 months after protoplast isolation. Regenerated shoots from cultivars Westar, Eureka and Bunyip and Sugar Loaf, which derived from protoplasts of dark/dim light germinated seedling and were induced to root on rooting media, survived in soil and grew to produce silique and set seeds.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzylaminopurine - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - KT kinetin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PAR photosynthetically active radiation     

Plant Regeneration from Mesophyll Protoplasts of Echinacea Purpurea

An efficient plant regeneration system was developed from isolated protoplasts of Echinacea purpurea L. using an alginate block/liquid culture system. Viable protoplasts could be routinely isolated from young leaves of Echinacea seedlings in an isolation mixture containing 1.0% cellulase Onozuka R-10, 0.5% pectinase and 0.3 mol l^–1 mannitol. Purified protoplasts were embedded in 0.6% Na-alginate block at a density of 1 × 10⁵/ml and cultured in a modified MS medium containing 0.3 mol l^–1 sucrose, 2.5 µmol l^–1 BA and 5.0 µmol l^–1 2,4-D. Cell colonies were observed after 4 weeks of culture, and the protoplast-derived colonies formed calluses when transferred onto 0.25% gellan gum-solidified MS medium supplemented with 1.0 µmol l^–1 BA and 2.0 µmol l^–1 IBA. Shoot organogenesis from protoplast-derived callus was induced on MS medium supplemented with 5.0 µmol l^–1 BA and 2.0 µmol l^–1 IBA. Complete plantlets were obtained from the regenerated shoots on MS basal medium. The protoplast to plant regeneration protocol developed in this study provides the prerequisite for creating novel genotypes of this valuable medicinal species through genetic manipulation.     

Callus proliferation from leaf protoplasts using phenylurea type cytokinin, 4-PU,inBetula platyphylla VAR.Japonica

Summary Protoplasts were isolated from leaves ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica using a 0.6M mannitol solution containing 1% Cellulase Onozuka R-10 and 1% Driselase. The cell division and colony formation were largely enhanced using Murashige and Skoog (1962) liquid medium at half strength (1/2 MS), containing 0.6M mannitol, 0.09M sucrose, and factorial combinations of 0.1–30 μM N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (4-pu) and 0.1–10 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 0.1–30 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The optimal protoplast density was 5–7 × 10⁴/ml. Continuous callus proliferation from protoplasts was achieved by transferring colonies to fresh 1/2 MS agar medium containing 1 μM NAA and 1 μM 4-pu with no mannitol. It appeared that supplementation of the medium with phenylurea type cytokinin, 4-pu gave the successful callus proliferation from the protoplasts ofB. platyphylla.     

An efficient protoplast-to-plant system for the hybrid ornamental shrub,Weigela ×florida cv. Bristol Ruby (Caprifoliaceae)

Strategies were developed for the successful isolation of large numbers of highly viable protoplasts from the leaves, stems and roots of axenic plants of the hybrid ornamental shrubWeigela ×florida cv Bristol Ruby. Protoplasts, of all sources, were cultured on different media, leading to the establishment of sustained divisions, and coupled with the production of multi-celled (>50 cells) colonies. However, those colonies derived from mesophyll protoplasts only were capable of a further proliferation to the callus stage. Upon transfer to a regeneration medium consisting of MS salts and organics plus a range of concentrations of NAA and BAP, such calli underwent caulogenesis, with optimum responses for a medium with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP. The protoplast-derived shoots thus obtained were multiplied on MS medium with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ IBA, 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ GA₃. Individual shoots were subsequently rooted on a half-strength MS medium plus 3.0 mg l⁻¹ IBA, and complete protoplast-derived plants were finally transferred to the glasshouse for acclimatization.     

High frequency callus formation from maize protoplasts

Summary A solid feeder layer technique was developed to improve callus formation of Black Mexican Sweet maize (Zea mays L.) suspension culture protoplasts. Protoplasts were plated in 0.2 ml liquid media onto a cellulose nitrate filter on top of agarose-solidified media in which Black Mexican Sweet suspension feeder cells were embedded. Callus colony formation frequencies exceeding 10% of the plated protoplasts were obtained for densities of 10³–10⁵ protoplasts/ 0.2 ml, which was 100- to 1,000-fold higher than colony formation frequencies obtained for conventional protoplast plating methods such as liquid culture or embedding in agarose media. Compared with conventional methods, the feeder layer method gave higher colony formation frequencies for three independently maintained Black Mexican Sweet suspension lines. Differences among the three lines indicated that colony formation frequencies might also be influenced by the suspension culture maintenance regime and length of time on different 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentrations. The callus colony formation frequency reported is an essential prerequesite for recovering rare mutants or genetically transformed maize protoplasts.     

Microcallus formation from maize protoplasts prepared from embryogenic callus

Conditions have been developed that induce maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts to re-synthesize cell walls and to initiate cell divisions. Two types of embryogenic maize callus were used as a source of protoplasts: a heterogeneous callus (Type I) derived from immature embryos after three weeks in culture, and a friable, rapidly growing callus (Type II) selected from portions of the Type I callus. Many variables in the growth conditions of the donor tissue (type of medium, transfer schedule, age of callus), protoplast isolation solutions (pH, osmolarity, type and concentration of cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes, addition of polyamines) and conditions (amount of time in enzyme, amount of tissue per volume of enzyme incubation medium, agitation, preplasmolysis of source tissue, type of callus), and purification procedures (filtration and-or flotation), were found to affect both yield and viability of protoplasts (based upon fluorescein-diacetate staining). Our isolation procedure yielded high numbers of viable, uninucleated maize callus protoplasts which were densely cytoplasmic and varied in size from 20 to 50 m in diameter. Protoplasts plated in solid medium formed walls and divided several times. Of several gelling agents tested for protoplast propagation, only agarose resulted in protoplasts capable of sustained divisions leading to the formation of microcalli. Plating efficiency was established over a wide range of protoplast densities (10³–10⁷ protoplasts/ml). Highest plating efficiency (25%) was obtained at 1·10⁶ protoplasts/ml). The resulting microcalli grew to be dense clusters of about 0.1–0.5 mm in diameter and then stopped growing. Nurse cultures of maize and carrot (Daucus carota L.), were used to establish that individual protoplasts (not contaminating cells or cell clusters) formed walls and divided. Nurse cultures also increased the efficiency of microcallus formation from protoplasts.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) salts - MS 1D Murashige and Skoog salts with 1 mg/l 2,4-D - MS 2D Murashige and Skoog salts with 2 mg/l 2,4-D - N₆ medium of Chu et al. (1975) - NN67-mod medium of Nitsch and Nitsch (1967) as modified in the present paper - FDA fluorescein diacetate - LMP low melting point     

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from protoplasts of six explants in Coker 201 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis>)

Fertile regenerated plants were obtained from protoplasts via somatic embryogenesis in Coker 201 (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Protoplasts were isolated from six different explantsleaves, hypocotyls, young roots, embryogenic callus, immature somatic embryos and suspension cultures and cultured in liquid thin layer KM8P medium. Callus-forming percentage of 20–50% was obtained in protoplast cultures from embryogenic callus, immature embryos and suspension cultures, and visible callus formed within 2 months. Callus-forming percentage of 5–20% in protoplast cultures from young roots, hypocotyls and leaves, and visible callus formed in 3 months. NAA 5.371 μM/kinetin 0.929 μM was effective to stimulate protoplast division and callus formation from six explants. Percentage of callus formation in the medium with 2,4-D 0.452 μM/kinetin 0.465 μM was over 40% from suspension cultures and immature embryos, 25% from embryogenic callus and 10% from hypocotyls. Callus from protoplasts developed into plantlets via somatic embryogenesis. Over 100 plantlets were obtained from protoplasts derived from 6 explants. Ten plants have been transferred to the soil, where they all have set seeds.     

Cytogenetics of protoplast cultures of Brachycome dichromosomatica and Crepis capillaris and regeneration of plants

Summary Callus derived protoplasts of Brachycome dichromosomatica (2n=2x=4) and Crepis capillaris (2n=2x=6) have been regenerated into karyologically normal plants, i.e. plants without visible alterations of the diploid chromosome set. However, metaphase analysis of protoplast cultures derived from both callus as well as mesophyll cells showed karyological changes in the overwhelming majority of cells in both species leading to multinucleated, polyploid and aneuploid cells. Furthermore, callus derived protoplasts sometimes exhibited changes at the chromosome level as indicated by translocations. The vast majority of aberrant karyotypes arose from failures during mitosis and cytokinesis, pointing to inadequate microtubules as a possible underlying cause. Karyological events of the kind described herein greatly affect the plating efficiency of isolated protoplasts and the viability of protoplast derived calli. Plant regeneration, although demonstrated in this study for the first time in both species, seems to be limited to rarely occurring, protoplast-derived colonies with a relatively stable genome. Our experiments, performed with chromosomal model species, emphasize the need for controlled, non-mutagenic culture conditions.     

Callus formation from protoplasts of cultured Lithospermum erythrorhizon cells

Protoplasts isolated from cell cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon divided repeatedly and formed callus colonies. Factors that affect protoplast division are the use of glucose as osmoticum, a new plating method with twin layers of agar-liquid medium, and the culture of protoplasts under the osmolarity lower than that in the isolation solution. When the sucrose in the protoplast-culture medium was replaced with glucose, and coconut milk was added to the medium, the frequency of colony formation markedly increased. The culture period required for colony formation also was shortened.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Nakasoushu

A fast-growing, small, granular, embryogenic callus was selected from primary calli induced from the Japanese wheat cultivar Nakasoushu and the Australian wheat cultivar Bodallin. Regenerable and fine suspension cultures were induced three to six months after liquid culture was initiated and were characterized by dense cytoplasm and active division. These suspension cultures routinely provided high yields of protoplasts with about 90% viability when incubated in a modified KMP (Kao and Michayluk, 1975) medium containing 1 mg l^-1 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), and 1 mg l^-1 zeatin. Nakasoushu and Bodallin protoplasts divided at frequencies of 8.6% and 11.1%, respectively, in agarose-solidified media. When Nakasoushu protoplasts were cultured with effective nurse cells of sorghum and wheat, protoplast division increased to 16.9% and 12.6%, respectively. Plating efficiencies varied from 0.03% to 2.5%. After subculture, protocolonies yielded embryogenic calli and somatic embryos, from which green plants were eventually regenerated. Whole plants obtained from Nakasoushu protoplasts were fertile, demonstrating the first report of Japanese cultivars in wheat protoplast cultures. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Immunological evidence for transfer of the barley nitrate reductase structural gene to Nicotiana tabacum by protoplast fusion

Summary A protoplast fusion experiment was designed in which the selectable marker, nitrate reductase (NR), also served as a biochemical marker to provide direct evidence for intergeneric specific gene transfer. NR-deficient tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mutant Nia30 protoplasts were the recipients for the attempted transfer of the NR structural gene from 50 krad -irradiated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) protoplasts. Barley protoplasts did not form colonies and Nia30 protoplasts could not grow on nitrate medium; therefore, selection was for correction of NR deficiency allowing tobacco colonies to grow on nitrate medium. Colonies were selected from protoplast fusion treatments at an approximate frequency of 10^-5. This frequency was similar to the Nia30 reversion frequency, and thus provided little evidence for transfer of the barley NR gene to tobacco. Plants regenerated from colonies had NR activity and were analyzed by western blotting using barley NR antiserum to determine the characteristics of the NR conferring growth on nitrate. Ten plants exhibited tobacco NR indicating reversion of a Nia30 mutant NR locus. Twelve of 26 regenerated tobacco plants analyzed had NR subunits with the electrophoretic mobility and antigenic properties of barley NR. These included plants regenerated from colonies selected from 1) co-culturing a mixture of Nia30 protoplasts with irradiated barley protoplasts without a fusion treatment, 2) a protoplast fusion treatment of Nia30 and barley protoplasts, and 3) a fusion treatment of Nia30 protoplasts with irradiated barley protoplasts. No barley-like NR was detected in plants regenerated from a colony that grew on nitrate following selfed fusion of Nia30 protoplasts. Because tobacco plants expressing barley-like NR were recovered from mixture controls as well as fusion treatments, explanations for these results other than protoplast fusionmediated gene transfer are discussed.     

Plant regeneration of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. from stem explants,callus and suspension cultures

Protocols were established for achieving plant regeneration from stem internode, callus, and cell suspension cultures of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. Two accessions of S. lycopersicoides exhibited different responses as to callus formation on various media, requirement of gibberellic acid for shoot regeneration, and ability to grow in suspension culture. The optimum medium for initiation and maintenance of cell suspension cultures was Murashige and Skoog [9] medium with 15 mg l^– NAA. For shoot regeneration, of three cytokinins tested, zeatin was found most effective relative to number, rapidity of response and overall quality of shoots. Shoot regeneration from stem explants, callus and suspension cultures was optimum on MS + 3.0 mg l^–1 zeatin + 0.1 mg l^–1 gibberellic acid.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 11589.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts in Indian local Coriandrum sativum L.: scanning electron microscopy and histological evidences for somatic embryogenesis

Coriandrum sativum L. is an annual herb belonging to the family Umbelliferae. It is used as a spice plant in Indian subcontinent and it has several medicinal applications as well. In this present article, an efficient plant regeneration protocol from protoplasts via somatic embryogenesis was established and is reported. This is the first ever protoplast isolation study in Indian local coriander in which plant regeneration was achieved. Hypocotyl-derived embryogenic callus was used as a source of protoplast. The embryogenic callus suspension was prepared by transferring tissues onto rotary-agitated liquid Murashige and Skoog, added with 1.0 mg l^?1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg l^?1 KIN (6-furfurylaminopurine). The suspension was digested with enzymatic solutions and a combination of cellulase (2.0 %), pectinase (1.0 %), macerozyme (0.02 %) and driselase (0.50 %) induced maximum yield of protoplasts (34.25 × 10⁵). In 1.0 mg l^?1 2,4-D + 1.0 mg l^?1 KIN containing medium, protoplasts divided well and formed maximum number of microcolonies (14.30/test tube). The protoplast callus (PC) biomass grew well in solid medium. The protoplast embryogenic callus was rich in protein, proline and sugar compared to non-embryogenic PC. The protoplast originated callus later differentiated into somatic embryos. The somatic embryo morphology, scanning electron microscopy and histology of embryo origin and development were investigated and discussed in details in this present communication. In 1.0 mg l^?1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg l^?1 BA (6-Benzyladenine), maximum number of embryos were formed on microcallus (26.6/callus mass). The embryo matured and germinated into plantlets at a low to moderate rate, highest (31.3 %) embryo germination was observed in 1.0 mg l^?1 BA + 0.5 mg l^?1 α-Naphthalene acetic acid added medium. The entire process of regeneration took about 4–5 months’ time for recovering plantlets from protoplasts.     

Regeneration of plants from Ipomoea cairica L. protoplasts and production of somatic hybrids between I. cairica L. and sweetpotato, I. batatas (L.) Lam.

Plants were regenerated from mesophyll protoplasts of Ipomoea cairica L., a wild relative of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), and somatic hybrids between I. cairica L. and sweetpotato cv. Xushu 18 were obtained by PEG-mediated method. I. cairica L. protoplasts were isolated from the leaves of in vitro grown plants and cultured in a modified MS medium containing 0.05 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin. Nine weeks after plating, the obtained small calluses up to about 2 mm in diameter were transferred to solid MS medium supplemented with 0.05 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin for callus proliferation. Three weeks after transfer, the calluses were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 0–1.0 mg l⁻¹ IAA and 1.0–3.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP and further to hormone-free MS medium for plant regeneration. The frequencies of calluses forming plants ranged from 6.0% to 41.3% based on the different concentrations of IAA and BAP, and 2.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP gave the highest regeneration frequency of protoplast-derived calluses in I. cairica L.. The regenerated plants, when transferred to soil, showed 100% survival. No morphological variations were observed. Mesophyll protoplasts of I. cairica L. were fused with protoplasts isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures of Xushu 18 by PEG-mediated method. The fused products were cultured with the best protoplast culture system of I. cairica L.. Finally, 114 plants were produced from 63 of the 182 calluses derived from the fused protoplasts, and 46 plants of them were confirmed to be somatic hybrids through peroxidase isozyme, RAPD, morphological and cytological analyses.     

Callus production from willow (Salix viminalis L.) protoplasts

Protoplasts were isolated from cell suspensions of Salix viminalis (basket willow) clone 78-0-90 and S. schwerinii clone 77-0-77, using cellulysin and macerase in modified Woody Plant medium. For clone 78-0-90, 6.3 · 10⁶ ± 1.9 · 10⁶ protoplasts were obtained per gram fresh weight. Cell divisions started two days after protoplast isolation and gave rise to callus which has been maintained in culture for up to four years. Protoplast yield from the clone 77-0-77 was lower (less than 10⁶ protoplasts per gram cells), cell division was infrequent and no callus was obtained. Protoplasts were also isolated from the leaves of willow shoot cultures using cellulysin and pectolyase, but these did not show cell divisions.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS medium Murashige & Skoog (1962) medium - WP medium Woody Plant medium (Lloyd & McCown 1981)     

Effects of a Ficoll-agarose system on early division and development of mesophyll protoplasts of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

A method is described for regenerating callus from mesophyll protoplasts of a winter variety of Brassica napus. The method combines the use of Ficoll in an initial liquid medium, enhancing early protoplast division and cell colony formation, with a transfer to an agarose system after 10 days culture to give rapid microcalli formation. Further transfers resulted in callus regeneration and the initiation of organogenesis.