Olive is one of the most important oil crops in the Mediterranean area. Biotechnological improvement of this species is hampered by the recalcitrant nature of olive tissue regeneration in vitro. In this investigation, we have developed an efficient regeneration system for juvenile olive explants via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic cultures were obtained at a rate of 25% by culturing isolated radicles from mature seeds in a modified olive medium (OMc) containing 2.5 lM 6-(dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP) and 25 lM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) over 3 weeks and later transferring to the same medium without 2iP and with a lower IBA concentration. Two different basal formulations, OMc and olive cyclic embryogenesis medium (ECO) [1/4 OM macroelements, 1/4 Murashige and Skoog (MS) microelements and 1/2 OM vitamins supplemented with 550 mg l -1 glutamine], were tested for embryogenic callus proliferation and maturation. The growth rate of embryogenic calli was similar in both media. However, the regeneration of mature embryos, achieved by culturing embryogenic masses in the same medium without hormones and supplemented with 1 g l -1 activated charcoal, was significantly higher when embryos were cultured in the ECO basal formulation. Pre-culturing embryogenic masses in liquid medium for up to 4 weeks did not affect subsequent callus proliferation in solid medium. The maturation rate of small globular somatic embryos, 1-3 mm size, obtained after filtering liquid cultures through a 3 9 3 mm mesh, was also similar to control embryos cultured in solid medium. To improve the maturation and germination rates, the effect of culturing globular somatic embryos on semi-permeable cellulose acetate membranes was also tested. Membrane treatments reduced the regeneration of mature embryos from 56.5% in the control treatment to 40.6% when the membrane was applied during the first half of the 8-week maturation phase and to 18% when the membrane was applied during last 4 weeks of the maturation period. However, membrane treatments significantly enhanced the conversion of mature embryos to plants, increasing the embryo conversion rate from 1.5% in the control to an average value of 37.8% in the membrane treatment. Cotyledonary embryos that were matured on the membranes showed lower values of water and solute potential than controls, indicating that this treatment exerted a controlled desiccation rate that enhanced the recovery of plants. Keywords In vitro plant regeneration Á Olea europaea Á Suspension culture Á Semi-permeable membrane Á Somatic embryo Á Water potential Abbreviations 2iP 6-(Dimethylallylamino) purine BA 6-Benzyladenine DKW Driver and Kuniyuki medium ECO Olive cyclic embryogenesis medium IBA Indole-3-butyric acid MS Murashige and Skoog OMc Modified olive medium SE Somatic embryo
Olive tree, Olea europaea L., is one of the most commercially important oil crops. A reliable protocol for the genetic transformation of this species has been developed. Embryogenic calli were infected with different Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains harboring pBINUbiGUSint or pGUSINT binary plasmids. These vectors contain the nos-nptII and the uidA gene driven by the maize polyubiquitin Ubi1 and CaMV35S promoter, respectively. Inoculated explants were cocultured for 2 days, and later selected in the presence of 200 mg l -1 paromomycin. The inclusion of a 3 weeks selection period in liquid medium supplemented with 50 mg l -1 paromomycin was critical for elimination of chimaeric calli. Agrobacterium strain AGL1 containing pBINUbiGUSint plasmid yielded higher transformation frequencies than EHA105 or LBA4404. Globular somatic embryos (SE), 1-2 mm diameter, cultured in the selection medium in groups of three, were the best explant for transformation. Using this protocol, transformation frequencies in the range of 20-45%, based on the number of infected explants proliferating in the selection medium, have been obtained. More than 100 independent transgenic lines were generated, and 16 of them converted to plants. Transgenic plants were acclimated and grown in the greenhouse, being phenotypically similar to wild type plants. The uidA gene was strongly expressed in transgenic material during the in vitro regeneration phase; however, b-glucuronidase (GUS) activity in pBINUbiGUSint transgenic plants was neither detected in shoots growing in vitro nor in acclimated plants. Transgenic leaves, however, contained high levels of NPTII protein. By contrast, plants transformed with the pGUSINT plasmid showed a strong GUS activity in leaves. The protocol here described will allow the genetic improvement of this traditional crop.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.