An optimized procedure for plant recovery from somatic embryos significantly facilitates the genetic improvement of Vitis

Plant regeneration from grapevine(Vitis spp.)via somatic embryogenesis typically is poor.Recovery of plants from Vitis rotundifolia Michx.(muscadine grape)is particularly problematic due to extremely low efficiency,including extended culture durations required for embryo–plant conversion.Poor plant recovery is an obstacle to the selection of improved genetically modified lines.Somatic embryos(SEs)of V.rotundifolia cultivar Delicious(Del-HS)and Vitis vinifera L cultivar Thompson Seedless(TS)were used to identify culture media and conditions that promoted embryo differentiation and plant conversion;this resulted in a two-step culture system.In comparative culture experiments,C2D medium containing 6%sucrose was the most effective,among four distinct formulae tested,for inducing precocious SE germination and cell differentiation.This medium,further supplemented with 4 mM 6-benzylaminopurine(C2D4B),was subsequently determined to enhance post-germinative growth of SE.MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid(MSN)was then utilized to stimulate root and shoot growth of germinated SE.An average of 35%and 80%‘Del-HS’and‘TS’SE,respectively,developed into plants.All plants developed robust root and shoot systems and exhibited excellent survival following transfer to soil.Over 150 plants of‘Del-HS’were regenerated and established within 2.5 months,which is a dramatic reduction from the 6-to 12-month time period previously required.Similarly,88‘TS’plant lines were obtained within the same time period.Subsequently,seven out of eight Vitis cultivars exhibited significantly increased plant conversion percentages,demonstrating broad application of the two-step culture system to produce the large numbers of independent plant lines needed for selection of desired traits.

Temporal and spatial control of gene expression inhorticultural crops

Biotechnology provides plant breeders an additional tool to improve various traits desired by growers and consumers of horticultural crops.It also provides genetic solutions to major problems affecting horticultural crops and can be a means for rapid improvement of a cultivar.With the availability of a number of horticultural genome sequences,it has become relatively easier to utilize these resources to identify DNA sequences for both basic and applied research.Promoters play a key role in plant gene expression and the regulation of gene expression.In recent years,rapid progress has been made on the isolation and evaluation of plant-derived promoters and their use in horticultural crops,as more and more species become amenable to genetic transformation.Our understanding of the tools and techniques of horticultural plant biotechnology has now evolved from a discovery phase to an implementation phase.The availability of a large number of promoters derived from horticultural plants opens up the field for utilization of native sequences and improving crops using precision breeding.In this review,we look at the temporal and spatial control of gene expression in horticultural crops and the usage of a variety of promoters either isolated from horticultural crops or used in horticultural crop improvement.