Genotype variation in regeneration and transient expression efficiencies of 14 South African wheat cultivars

Abstract

Fourteen spring and winter hard red South African wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were compared for their regeneration and transient anthocyanin expression efficiencies. Embryonic and non-embryonic callus, as well as plantlets, were obtained from all the cultivars cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 5 mg l−1 6-Benzylaminopurine. Gamtoos and Tugela Dn1 were the best cultivars for the development of both roots and shoots. None of the cultivars produced callus or plantlets on ML3 medium. Transient anthocyanin expression was obtained in winter, as well as spring, hard red wheat cultivars. Using the nondestructive anthocyanin reporter-gene, it was established that the spring wheat cultivars Palmiet Dn1, Palmiet Dn2 and Palmiet Dn5 were the most suitable cultivars for future transformation studies, determined by the percentage bombarded calli expressing anthocyanin after two to three weeks. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.