The culture of isolated microspores of ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and the importance of genotype to embryo regeneration

The culture of isolated microspores of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) was studied including the importance of genotype to embryo regeneration, medium composition chiefly the sucrose concentration and the use of colchicine, simultaneously medium renovation. It was initiated using 29 different genotypes as donor plants. Embryos were induced from six of the kale genotypes and these corresponded to the more out-bred genotypes. Embryogenesis was achieved using four different combinations of culture media: (a) microspores initially cultured in NLN medium supplemented with 13% (w/v) sucrose (NLN-13) for 48 h, followed by transfer to fresh NLN-13 medium; (b) microspores cultured for 48 h in NLN-13 medium supplemented with colchicines (50 mg/L) followed by transfer to unsupplemented NLN-13 medium; (c) microspores cultured for 48 h in NLN-16 medium supplemented with colchicines (50 mg/L) followed by transfer to unsupplemented NLN-16 medium; (d) microspores cultured for 48 h in NLN-16 medium supplemented with colchicines (50 mg/L) followed by transfer to unsupplemented NLN-13 medium. The embryos obtained from four of the genotypes developed into plantlets and these regenerated plants have been successfully transplanted to soil. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.