Isolation and regeneration of cell suspension-derived Foeniculum vulgare protoplasts

Abstract

Hybrid development incorporating lines with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has become an increasingly effecting technique for utilizing heterosis in vegetable crops. Currently, somatic hybridization has become prevalent in the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, celery, and leeks. Therefore, as a first step, a simple and efficient protocol for isolating and regenerating protoplasts is established for the commercial fennel hybrid “Dragon” as a source of CMS that will be transferred later into carrot via protoplast fusion. To this end, cell suspensions from Dragon were initiated as a source for protoplast isolation.