In vitro shoot regeneration from commercial cultivars of Australian canola (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Canola, (Brassica napus L.) is an important crop in Australia. Large genetic variability in the Australian canola cultivars is reflected by their diverse agronomic characteristics. Further improvement using modern breeding methods will lead to the generation of better canola varieties suited for Australian conditions. Genetic engineering relies on the development of efficient methods for regeneration of viable shoots from cultured tissues, and the successful application of transformation techniques. This study reports the in vitro shoot regeneration potential from seedling explants of 7 commercial genotypes (Dunkeld, Grouse, RK7, RI25, Oscar, Rainbow, and Monty) of Australian canola. Seedling explants of these genotypes were all responsive to shoot regeneration. Total number of shoots regenerated varied significantly among the 7 genotypes. Based on the number of shoots regenerated, Rainbow was found to be the most amenable to in vitro regeneration with 55% of cotyledon explants regenerating 2.47 shoots per explants on shoot initiation medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (3 mg/L), 1-naphthylacetic acid (0.2 mg/L), and gibberellic acid (0.01 mg/L). Normal fertile canola plants from all the 7 genotypes were regenerated. The results obtained from this study will form the basis for genetic transformation studies.