Selection in Vitro for NaCI-tolerance in Vitis rupestris Scheele

Suspension cultures were made from the vegetative tissues ofanthers of the grape rootstock Vitis rupestris Scheele cv. RupestrisSt George. Cell lines and somatic embryos were isolated whichgrew in agitated liquid media containing up to 150 mM NaCl.Exposure to NaCl (50–100 mM) promoted outgrowth of secondarysomatic embryos but inhibited development of plantlets. Withinsomatic embryos the cotyledon and hypocotyl tissues were moretolerant of NaCl than root tissues. Elongation of the radiclein embryos in the presence of NaCl (50 mM) was associated withnecrosis and death of root tissue but hypocotyls and cotyledonsremained viable and continued to produce callus and secondarysomatic embryos. The usefulness of the cell culture approachin selecting for salt tolerance is questioned.