Comparing the Resynthesis of Brassica napus L. by Interspecific Somatic and Sexual Hybridization. I. Producing and Identifying Hybrids

Abstract

Brassica napus (genome aacc), a natural allotetraploid derived from hybridization between B. oleracea L. (genome cc) and B. rapa L. (genome aa), was synthesized by sexual and somatic interspecific hybridizations from the same parent plants to compare the two methods of combining genomes and assess the genetic consequences of bypassing the gametophytic phase before hybrid formation. Highly heterozygous species parents were first produced by intraspecific hybridization between two subspecies each of B. oleracea and B. rapa. Leaf tissue from young plants of both parental species served as a source of protoplasts for fusion; the same plants were later used for crosses. Seventy-two somatic hybrids were produced using a polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion protocol and 27 sexual hybrids were obtained by embryo rescue. Somatic hybrids were produced between one B. oleracea and two sibling B. rapa plants. Sexual hybrids were successfully produced with only one of the two B. rapa siblings. Hybrids were identified by morphology, isozyme patterns, and total DNA content. Although fertile allotetraploid somatic hybrids were obtained within 7 months after seeding parent lines, >1 year was required to produce fertile sexual hybrids.