Age and orientation of the cotyledonary leaf explants determine the efficiency of de novo plant regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation in Jatropha curcas L.

Effects of age and orientation of the explant on callus induction and de novo shoot regeneration from cotyledonary leaf segments of Jatropha curcas were studied. The callus induction and shoot regeneration capacity of cotyledonary leaf segments were found significantly related to the age of the explants and their orientation in culture medium. The youngest explant, derived from the cotyledonary leaf of germinated seed induced the highest regeneration response as compared to one- and two-week-old explants. A gradient response with age of the explant was observed in percentage of callus induction, shoot regeneration from callus and the number of shoots per regenerating callus. The explants cultured with their abaxial side in medium showed significantly higher regeneration response. The youngest explant was found to be most amenable to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation as compared to older explants. The fact that callus induced from the edges of the explant followed by de novo shoot induction, and strong transient gus expression observed in the edges of the explant are significant for routine Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and generation of stable transgenic plants in J. curcas.     

Induction of adventitious shoots in vitro in Campanula carpatica

Efficient protocols have been developed to induce adventitious shoots in different types of explants of Campanula carpatica Jacq. More than five shoots per explant developed on hypocotyls of 5-week-old seedlings after 2 weeks of culture. Hypocotyls produced twice as many shoots as the cotyledons. TDZ proved to be about 6 times more efficient than BA. NAA had to be added to the regeneration medium to obtain the optimal balance of auxin and cytokinin to induce shoot regeneration. Significant differences were noted between different growth regulator concentrations in their effects on shoot organogenesis. BA induced double the number of callus clumps as TDZ. Incubation of explants in the dark produced about 6 shoots per explant while those in the light produced about 2 shoots per explant. Explants derived from 5-week-old seedlings were five times more regenerative compared to those derived from 15-week-old seedlings. Explants from cv. White Uniform were more organogenic than those from cv. Blue Clip. Root segments were also found to form shoots when treated with CPPU.     

Responsive regions for direct organogenesis in sunflower cotyledons

Regeneration efficiency from three different regions of cotyledonary explants was examined in six sunflower inbred lines. Proximal, middle and distal regions from seedling cotyledons were cultured on regeneration medium supplemented with growth regulators. Plant regeneration by direct organogenesis was observed after four weeks. Significant differences among inbred lines were found for regeneration percentage and average number of shoots per total explants. Also a decreasing regeneration capacity was observed from proximal to distal sections for all inbred lines. Regeneration ability from cotyledonary explants in this species is strongly influenced by the genotype and by the region from which the explant was obtained. The distance to the cotyledonary node plays a preponderant role in the expression of shoot forming capacity. Shoot differentiation via seedling cotyledons depends upon the presence of the proximal region of cotyledon regardless of the genotype.     

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     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of an endangered plant species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermopsis turcica</Emphasis> (Fabaceae)

This report deals with micropropagation of the critically endangered and endemic Turkish shrub, Thermopsis turcica using callus, root and cotyledonary explants. Callus cultures were initiated from root and cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 0.5–20 μM NAA or 2,4-D. The root explants were found to be better in terms of quick responding and callusing percentages as compared to the cotyledons. Organogenic callus production with adventitious roots and shoots were obtained on MS medium with only NAA. The calli obtained with NAA, root and cotyledonary explants were cultured with BA and kinetin (2–8 μM) alone or in combination with a low level (0.5 μM) of 2,4-D or NAA. The best regeneration of shoots from root explants was observed on hormone-free MS medium. NAA with BA or kinetin in the medium improved shoot induction from the calli obtained with NAA. Maximum percentage of shoots (93.3%), maximum number of shoots (6.2) and maximun length of shoots (8.22 cm) were achieved from cotyledonary explants at 4 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA. The presence of 0.5 μM or higher levels of 2,4-D in shoot induction medium inhibited the regeneration in T. turcica explants. 83% of in vitro rooting was attained on pulsed-IBA treated shoots. The regenerated plants with well developed shoots and roots were successfully acclimatized. Application of this study’s results has the potential to conserve T. turcica from extinction.     

In vitro regeneration of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) from seedling cotyledon and hypocotyl explants

The goal of this study was to develop an efficient regeneration protocol to be used for genetic transformation of sesame. Published regeneration methods using benzyladenine (BA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were unsuccessful for the cultivars used herein. Experiments were carried out using cotyledon and hypocotyl explants from the cultivar Mtwara-2. Later the optimised culture conditions were used to investigate the regeneration response of different genotypes. There was significant interaction between hormone treatments and macronutrients for shoot and root regeneration. Results also showed that shoot regeneration was significantly influenced by explant type. Shoots were only obtained from cotyledons whereas both cotyledons and hypocotyls could produce roots. Modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with N6 macronutrients resulted in twice the shoot regeneration frequency obtained with ½MS macronutrients in the presence of thidiazuron (TDZ). The shoot regeneration frequency was significantly reduced when BA was used in place of TDZ. On shoot regeneration medium containing BA and NAA, only roots were formed. Replacing NAA with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) greatly improved the regeneration of shoots. The optimum growth regulator combination for shoot regeneration was 20 μM TDZ together with 2.5 μM IAA, which gave a frequency of 63% and 4.4 shoots per regenerating explant for the best cultivar Ex-El. Genotypic differences were significant both for the number of explants regenerating shoots and the number of shoots produced per regenerating explant.     

Biochemical and histological changes associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> responses in sunflower cotyledonary explants

In vitro shoot regeneration from sunflower cotyledonary explants can be obtained in the presence of kinetin and indole-3-acetic acid. In contrast, callus proliferation is obtained in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on culture medium. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in protein profiles during callus and shoot development from cotyledonary explants and to correlate them with ontogenic stages during in vitro culture. Cotyledons cultured in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid produced friable callus as a result of early division of parenchymatic cells associated with the vascular bundles of the explant. The callogenic ability was independent of the cotyledonary region used as starting explant. Direct shoot organogenesis was observed from the same type of cells growing in culture media supplemented with kinetin and indole-3-acetic acid. In this case, the regeneration potential varied among regions from which the explants were obtained. Protein profiles revealed differences associated with shoots or callus developmental programs. A 27-kDa polypeptide was uniquely detected in the explants undergoing shoot organogenesis. The amount of this polypeptide during the first 4 d of culture increased and was followed by the appearance of meristematic centers in histologically analyzed samples. This polypeptide could be used as a specific marker for in vitro shoot development in this species.     

Shoot regeneration from seedling explants of Acacia mangium Willd

Summary Regeneration of adventitious shoots was obtained in over 80% of explants, consisting of wounded cotyledonary nodes of Acacia mangium, by culturing germinated seedlings on DKW medium with combinations of N⁶-benzyladenine and either thidiazuron or N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea. Electron microscopy showed the presence of adventitious buds arising from wound tissue of the cotyledons and cotyledonary nodes. Shoot regeneration was also obtained at lower frequency in isolated cotyledon explants cultured with 6% sucrose alone (10%), or with 3% sucrose and 30.0 mg l⁻¹ (0.1 μM) 2–4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 16%). With 2,4-D,>60% of explants produced organized structures but these did not develop into shoots or somatic embryos. Shoot formation was not induced in either hypocotyl or root explants.     

A novel pathway for rapid shoot regeneration from the proximal zone of the inpocotyl of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Summary Hypocotyl explants of melon (Cucumis melo L.) are capable of regenerating multiple shoots on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium, augmented with 4.4 μM benzylademne. Regeneration from the hypocotyl is much more rapid than the more commonly reported regeneration from cotyledonary explants, producing shoots within 2 wk compared to more than a month required for cotyledon explants. The rapid regeneration response depends on the presence of a fragment of the cotyledon remaining attached to the hypocotyl. Controls were performed to ensure that the regeneration was not due to the presence of the shoot apical bud of the melon seedling after explant production. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that microsurgery to remove the apical bud left no excess bud material. Regeneration from the proximal part of the hypocotyl was due to production of a new shoot apical meristem, observed by histology. The apical meristem can be produced before leaf primordia in regeneration from the hypocotyl, in contrast to the regeneration process from the melon cotyledon.     

Morphogenetic responses from in vitro cultured seedling explants of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

The morphogenetic responses of seedling explants of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek cv ML-5) were studied in vitro. Direct induction of shoots/plants was possible from shoot tip, cotyledon and cotyledonary node explants. Dedifferentiation of the explants viz; Shoot tip, cotyledons, cotyledonary node, primordial leaves and roots was obtained on basal medium supplemented with auxin and cytokinin. Shoot regeneration was limited to primary calli while rhizogenesis was of common occurrence in established calli. In addition to differences in hormonal requirements, the various explants showed preferential growth in different basal media.     

Combination of thidiazuron and 2-isopentenyladenine promotes highly efficient adventitious shoot regeneration from cotyledons of mature sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds

Genetic improvement of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) through the use of biotechnological tools requires a reliable in vitro shoot regeneration system. Tissue culture protocols reported to date for sunflower suffer from low efficiency, poor reproducibility, genotype dependence and a tendency for flowering in vitro. The present study describes an efficient protocol system for shoot regeneration via direct adventitious shoot organogenesis from cotyledons of mature seeds of sunflower. About 169 media combinations comprising 12 different growth regulator combinations in various concentrations were assessed for induction of shoots from cotyledons derived from mature seeds and also from seedling tissues of 2?C20-day-old seedlings. Appearance of shoots from seedling tissues was sporadic and the frequency of shoot regeneration was low. Cotyledon explants from mature seeds were consistent with regard to frequency of adventitious shoot regeneration and number of shoots per explant. A high frequency (93.86?%) of adventitious shoot regeneration was obtained within 2?weeks of culture initiation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 9.84???M 2-isopentenyladenine (2-iP), 2.85???M indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 0.45???M thidiazuron (TDZ). Use of 2-iP in the shoot induction and elongation media prevented precocious flowering. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of explant orientation, age of seedlings, and genotype on adventitious organogenesis. Maximum shoot regeneration was obtained when cotyledons from 0 and 1-day-old seedlings were placed with their adaxial surface in contact with the medium surface. The protocol developed was tested on 42 genotypes and found to be applicable to a wide range of genotypes. Histological studies indicated that the shoots originated predominantly through adventive organogenesis from the sub-epidermal and cortical regions.     

Multiple shoot formation from normal and malformed somatic embryo explants of Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)

A procedure for multiple shoot formation from somatic embryo explants of Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) cultured on DKW medium containing benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) was developed. TDZ in combination with BA produced more shoots than either treatment alone. The highest number of shoots (3.3 to 3.4 shoots per explant) was obtained from partially desiccated and wounded explants treated with a combination of 5 or 10 M BA and 0.5 or 1.0 M TDZ for 20 days before being transferred to the same medium without TDZ. The number of shoots formed was increased from 1.5 to 3.2 shoots per explant by cutting through the cotyledonary node prior to culture. In addition, the frequency of explants forming shoots was increased by desiccation of somatic embryo explants to approximately 50% moisture and by using somatic embryos with two well formed cotyledons as explants.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - BA benzyladenine - CRD Completely randomized design - DKW Driver and Kuniyuki medium - LSD Least significant differences - TDZ thidiazuron     

In vitro culture of Safflower L. cv. Bhima: initiation,growth optimization and organogenesis

Callus induction and in vitro plantlet regeneration systems for safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cv. Bhima using root, hypocotyl, cotyledon and leaf explants were optimized by studying the influence on organogenesis of seedling age, media factors, growth regulators and excision orientation. Supplementation of the medium with an auxin: cytokinin ratio < 1 enhanced the growth rate of callus cultures; however, for 2,4-D the ratio was > 1.34–11.41 μM concentrations of growth regulators (IAA, NAA, BA and Kinetin) in the medium were found effective for callus induction and regeneration in all explants. The calli could be maintained over 32 months. BA (4.43 μM) combined with casein hydrolysate (10 mg l-1) yielded the highest rate of shoot production on hypocotyl (3–6) and cotyledon (5–7) explants and cotyledonary derived callus (4–8). More shoots were produced on explants cut from the most basal region of cotyledons from 5 to 7-day-old seedlings than from older seedlings or more distal cut sites. Apolar placement of explants, inhibited shoot regeneration. The shoot regeneration potential remained upto 7 months in calli developed on NAA + BA. Of three media tested, MS was superior to SH-M and B5. Rooting of shoots was not efficient; 42% of the shoots were rooted on MS medium containing sucrose (7–8%) + IAA (2.8–5.7 μM). Capitula induction was observed in both callus mediated shoots on cotyledons and shoots on rooting medium with sucrose, IAA, NAA and IBA. Well developed plantlets were transferred to the field with a 34% success rate. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High frequency plant regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of ornamental kale

A high frequency shoot regeneration system for ornamental kale [Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (D.C.) Alef.] was firstly established from seedling cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. The ability of cotyledon and hypocotyl to produce adventitious shoots varied depending upon genotype, seedling age and culture medium. The maximum shoot regeneration frequency was obtained when the explants from cv. Nagoya 4-d-old seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The frequency of shoot regeneration was 65.0 % for cotyledons, 76.1 % for hypocotyls; and the number of shoots per explant was 4.3 for cotyledons, 8.2 for hypocotyls. Hypocotyl explants were found to be more responsive for regeneration when compared with cotyledons. Among the 4 cultivars tested, Nagoya showed the best shoot regeneration response. The addition of 3.0 mg dm⁻³ AgNO₃ was beneficial to shoot regeneration. Roots were formed on the base of the shoots when cultured on half-strength MS medium.     

Effect of genotype,explant, subculture interval and environmental conditions on regeneration of shoots from in vitro monoploids of a diploid potato species,Solanum phureja Juz. & Buk.

In vitro anther-derived monoploids (2n=x=12) of Solanum phureja were compared for shoot regeneration from leaf and stem explants under various environmental conditions. Monoploids from the same or different diploid clones varied for frequency and earliness of shoot regeneration and number of shoots formed per explant. Leaf explants regenerated at higher frequencies than stem explants. Explants from stock plantlets subcultured at a 2- or 4-week interval regenerated earlier and at a higher frequency than those from plantlets subcultured at longer intervals. Regeneration frequency and number of shoots per explant were greater when explants were incubated at 20°C compared to 25°C. Explants from stock plantlets maintained under a 16 h as opposed to an 11 h photoperiod exhibited increased shoot regeneration; however, neither photoperiod nor the maintenance temperature of the stock plantlets influenced regeneration frequency. Genotypic differences were observed for the frequency of chromosome doubling among regenerated shoots whereas temperature treatments had no influence on chromosome doubling.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA -naphthale-neacetic acid     

High Efficiency Organogenesis in Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Tissues from Different Seedling Explants

In vitro plant regeneration was achieved from eightsweet pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.). The effect ofvarious explant types (cotyledons, leaves, cotyledonary nodes and shoot-tip from25-day-old seedlings and embryonic cotyledons, embryonic hypocotyls and woundedseedlings) on bud and shoot regeneration and shoot elongation was evaluated.Differences in ability for in vitro shoot regeneration andelongation depended on the variety and explant type. In general, highregeneration frequency was obtained from all varieties. Agridulcedisplayed the highest regeneration response: an average of 3.45 elongated shootsper explant using embryonic cotyledons. Elongated shoots were excised and rootedon Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium either without plant growth regulatorsor with 0.5 IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) or 0.05 NAA (-naphthaleneacetic acid). Plantlets weretransplanted to soil and acclimatised in the greenhouse showing normaldevelopment and growing to maturity bearing normal fruits with seeds.     

High efficiency plant regeneration and genetic fidelity of regenerants by SCoT and ISSR markers in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

High efficient and repeatable in vitro regeneration protocol was established from embryo axis, half-seed, axillary meristem, and cotyledonary node explants of chickpea. Various concentrations and combinations of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) were employed to induce multiple shoots, shoot elongation and rooting of shoots to obtain complete plantlets of chickpea. The pretreatment of seeds with 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) at 1.0 mg l^?1 was found to significantly increase the multiple shoot regeneration from the all explants tested. Among three PGRs such as BAP, kinetin (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ) tested for multiple shoot induction; BAP at 2.0 mg l^?1 produced the maximum number of shoots in all tested explants. The maximum number of shoots (48.80 shoots/explant) was attained from the embryo axis explant followed by half-seed (32.76 shoots/explant), axillary meristem (28.34 shoots/explant) and cotyledonary node explant (18.47 shoots/explant) on medium augmented with 2.0 mg l^?1 BAP along with 0.05 mg l^?1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The optimum percentage of shoot elongation response was recorded (96.68%) on medium fortified with IAA (0.05 mg l^?1), GA₃ (1.0 mg l^?1) and BAP (1.0 mg l^?1) with an average shoot length of 8.82 cm. The elongated shoots were successfully rooted in medium augmented with 2.0 mg l^?1 IBA. The complete plants were acclimatized in the greenhouse with a survival rate of 72%. The plantlets regenerated from four explants appeared to be morphologically similar to mother plants. The genetic fidelity of in vitro regenerated plants was evaluated using Start Codon Targeted and Inter simple sequence repeats molecular markers. The in vitro regenerated plants from all four explants were found to be the true to type with their mother plant. The in vitro protocol presented in the study should offer as a feasible system for chickpea genetic transformation.

     

Thidiazuron-induced high-frequency axillary and adventitious shoot regeneration in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Summary Prolific shoot regeneration was achieved in mungbean Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek from 3-d-old in vitro cotyledonary node and hypocotyl explants from seedlings derived from mature seeds on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.9 μM). An initial exposure to TDZ for 20 d and three successive transfers to fresh medium with reduced thidiazuron levels (0.09 μM) resulted in the regeneration of 104 shoots/explant from the cotyledon and 30 shoots/explant from the hypocotyl. Thidiazuron-associated abnormalities such as short compact shoots, fasciation and leaf growth in the form of rosettes were observed in shoots regenerated from hypocotyl explants. Both axillary and adventitious shoot formation from the explants were confirmed by histology. Through repectitive cycles of regeneration in the presence of TDZ, the number of shoots that could be obtained from the two explant classes within 80 d was significantly higher than with previous reports in mungbean     

Silver nitrate and aminoethoxyvinylglycine promote in vitro adventitious shoot regeneration of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

A protocol is presented for direct adventitous shoot organogenesis and complete plant regeneration from seedling-derived explants of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a tropical fruit tree. Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium enriched with 8.9 mumol/L benzyladenine (BA), 5.4 mumol/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 10% coconut water (CW) induced adventitious shoot bud differentiation in axenic seedling-derived cotyledons as well as hypocotyl segments. The cotyledons were more responsive than the hypocotyls. Addition of ethylene inhibitors such as AgNO3 (10-40 mumol/L) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) (5-15 mumol/L) to the medium markedly enhanced regeneration frequency as well as number of shoots obtained per explant. The promotive effect of AVG and AgNO3 on shoot organogenesis was observed only in cotyledon explants. The regeneration medium containing AgNO3 (20 mumol/L) or AVG (10 mumol/L) induced adventitious shoot buds from 57% or 53% of the cotyledon explants respectively. These shoot buds developed into shoots upon transfer to a regeneration medium without AgNO3 and AVG. The promotive effect of AVG on shoot regeneration was reversed by exogenous application of 20 mumol/L 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA), an ethylene releasing compound. On the other hand, shoot regeneration stimulated by AgNO3 was relatively less affected by CEPA. Regenerated shoots were rooted in half-strength MS medium (1/2 MS) containing 0.54 mumol/L NAA. The well rooted plantlets were acclimatized and eventually established in soil.     

Competence for regeneration of cucumber cotyledons is restricted to specific developmental stages

The total duration of the plant regeneration process from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledonary explants was only six weeks, which included the induction of buds and their development into plants. Regeneration of shoots from cotyledons from three to five day-old seedlings ranged up to 100%. The regenerated plants were morphologically normal, flowered and set seed. The regeneration capacity of cotyledons from seven days-old and older seedlings was lowered dramatically. Most of those regenerated plants were polyploid/mixoploid and had an abnormal morphology. During seedling development (3 to 13 days), the DNA content of cotyledonary cells changed from 2C to 4C and more. The results show that the decrease in regeneration competence correspond with the change in DNA content of the cotyledonary cells.