Somatic embryogenesis in Abies nebrodensis, an endangered Sicilian fir

Somatic embryogenesis, as a promising biotechnological tool for many conifer trees, has never been applied for the Abies nebrodensis species. Although all the encouraging results previously obtained by the EU LIFE (European LIFE program) funded projects in over ten years, the critically endangered Sicilian fr remains alarmingly close to extinction. In this study, we reported the first protocol of somatic embryogenesis obtained from mature zygotic embryos of the Abies nebrodensis. Seeds from Abies adult trees with specifc identifcation numbers (IN) were collected and full seeds were identifed by X-ray. Diferent experiments were carried out for callus initiation, from both zygotic immature and mature embryos, testing diferent culture media. The immature embryos did not give embryogenic tissue (ET). Embryogenic callus (EC) was successfully induced from mature embryos with variable frequencies (0–40%). Schenk and Hilderbrandt (SH) was the most suitable initiation medium where the obtained callus initiation rate reached up to 40% for IN7 (frst experiment). 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) showed to be essential to induce EC (second experiment). IN8 presented the highest callus initiation rate (40%) among all tested donor trees, whereas IN13 recorded the lowest rate with 4% (third experiment). ET maturation from each singular embryo of IN7, IN8, IN10 and IN21 was successfully achieved in SH medium containing 37,83 µM abscisic acid (ABA), 8% of polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) and 4% maltose. The encapsulation technology was assessed on the obtained ET and its proliferation was observed after encapsulation

Genetic transformation in melon

10th EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae -- OCT 15-18, 2012 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000345687100079Melon is one of the species in Cucurbitaceae which has intense transformation researches for two decades. We review here the various approaches reported in the literature. A. tumefaciens was used mainly in melon transformation studies. Few studies were reported by using particule bombardment, A. rhizogenes and Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus-vector. In last years, new methods named ovary injection, pollen tube pathway and new genes called marker-free and vector-free genes were used in melon transformation studies.European Assoc Res Plant Breeding, Cukurova Univ, Minis Food, Agr & Livestock, Turkish Sci & Technol Council, Antalya Tarim, Manier Seed, Yuksel Seed, Syngenta, AG Seed, Fito Seed, Multi Seed, Nunhems, Rijk Zwaan, Bati Akdeniz Agr Res Inst, Alata Hort Res Sta

Innovative In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation Strategies of the Madonie Fir Abies nebrodensis

Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei is an endemic species of the north-west of Sicily located in an 84 ha area in the Madonie Regional park. The current population is limited to 30 relic adult trees and a fluctuating number of juveniles of natural regeneration. The species is defined as "Critically Endangered" in the Italian list of threatened plants and is classified as CR-D in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This article reports the key action undertaken by the LIFE4FIR project aimed at preserving A. nebrodensis, and the results obtained so far in three years of activity. OpenArrays SNPs genotyping revealed a high rate of inbreeding in the natural population and that the adult trees are genetically related. Controlled cross-pollination was consequently performed to increase the genetic variability of the progeny. Outbred offspring are currently being grown in the nursery. Reforestation has been planned by using 4000 selected outbred seedlings in 10 areas within Madonie Park to create re-diffusion cores. Support and protection of the relic population have been implemented through regular phytosanitary surveys, as well as new fencing and video surveillance systems against grazing and wild herbivores. A seedbank and cryobank for the long-term germplasm conservation have been established