In vitro answer of Bulgarian pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Callusogenesis and regeneration ability of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants from three Bulgarian pepper varieties in MS basal medium supplemented with l-3mg/l BAP. l.0mg/1 IAA and 0.5mg/l GA3 was studied. In the different variants of culture medium was registered high level of callusogenesis and organogenesis in both type of explants from the all varieties. The highest percentage of plant-regenerants is established in cotyledon explants (from 3.3 to 18.3) in variant 3 of the culture medium containing 3mg/l BA. In the process of micropropagation by stem explants of the same studied pepper varieties the addition of the vitamins C. B12. Casein hydrolysate and Ferulic acid had a stimulation effect on the plant growth in height and rooting. In result of anther cultivation from three pepper varieties and four breeding lines the highest percentage of embryo structure formation was registered in varieties Albena and Strjama (12.0 and 13.8 respectively). The Bulgarian peppers are recalcitrant and their in vitro answer is different depending from the explants type, genotype and the culture media composition

Breeding evaluation of pepper lines obtained by in vitro anther culture

The comparative breeding evaluation was carried out with six advanced pepper lines (Capsicum annuum L.) with androgenic origin and their initial pepper variety Hebar during the period 2008 - 2010 in field conditions at Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The genotypes were characterized by total and standard yield, plant height and fruit traits: length, width, wall thickness and weight. The response of two lines (4 and 6) and control variety to the Verticillium wilt was also investigated on artificial infected background. According to the results of the experimental work standard and total yield in all androgenic lines were higher compared to the initial variety but significant differences were established only for lines 1, 2, 4 and 6. Line 6 was characterized with the highest standard yield (4009 kg/da) followed by line 2 (3829 kg/da). They exceeded variety Hebar with 42.26% and 35.89%, respectively. Line 2 formed the heaviest (61.31 g) and longer (11.24 cm) fruits than most studied genotypes. Anther-derived lines were also with a good uniformity by studied traits. In line 6 was registered lower index of infestation byVerticillium dahliae Kleb. than the control during the investigated period. These perspective lines will be included as valuable genetic resources for future pepper breeding programs for development of new varieties

Plant regeneration after head cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) seed treatment by γ-rays 60 Со

Abstract The aim of present investigation is characterization of changed head cabbage forms obtained after seed irradiation with 800 Gy γ-rays 60 Со and in vitro regeneration. There were registered the highest frequency of changes in pollen fertility (83,3% of plants) followed by plant height (66,7% of plants) of M 1 generation in generative stage of development. The changes in some characteristics of flower and leaf morphology were observed also. We suppose that except applied physical mutagen in vitro cultivation of treated explants also effect the establishment of genetic diversity in this case. The obtained sterile and low pollen fertility head cabbage lines are of breeding interest for F 1 hybrids creation. Key words: in vitro regeneration, irradiation, mutant, pollen sterility, head cabbage Introduction Genetic diversity is the basis for the selection and the most essential component of conventional breeding program. In vitro plant culture in combination with mutagenic treatments can increase the diversity and speed up the breeding proces

Obtaining Haploids in Anther Culture of Pepper Capsicum annuum L. and Their Inclusion in the Breeding Process

The frequency of obtained androgenic plants depends highly on thegenotype; therefore the low rate of haploid recovery limits the utility of antherculture in pepper breeding.The aim of this study was establishment of effective in vitro technologyfor study of haploid and diploid plant regenerants; induction of embryogenesisin pepper anther culture; development of the embryos into regenerants aswell as successful adaptation and acclimatization of regenerants from sterileto greenhouse conditions. In the present study, the effectiveness of inducedandrogenesis in anther culture of several Bulgarian and Macedonian peppergenotypes was investigated.The collected seed material is excellent possibility for further breedingprocesses, cytogenetic and other molecular level research.The results of this paper derived from international bilateral Macedonian-Bulgarian Joint Research Project: “Obtaining haploids in anther culture ofpepper Capsicum annuum L. and their inclusion in the breeding process”,managed by the fi rst two authors and with participation of the coauthors

Engineering of the membrane of fibroblast cells with virus-specific antibodies: a novel biosensor tool for virus detection

A novel concept for the assay of viral antigens is described. The methodological approach is based on a membrane-engineering process involving the electroinsertion of virus-specific antibodies in the membranes of fibroblast cells. As a representative example, Vero fibroblasts were engineered with antibodies against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and used for the construction of an ultra-sensitive miniature cell biosensor system. The attachment of a homologous virus triggered specific changes to the cell membrane potential that were measured by appropriate microelectrodes, according to the principle of the bioelectric recognition assay (BERA). No change in the membrane potential was observed upon cell contact with the heterologous cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Fluorescence microscopy observations showed that attachment of CMV particles to membrane-engineered cells was associated with membrane hyperpolarization and increased [Ca2+]cyt. In an additional field-based application, we were able to detect CMV-infected tobacco plants at an essentially 100% level of accuracy