Abstract
The morphological and cytogenetic features of the natural autotetraploid Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Warschau (Wa-1) were investigated. Most of the Warschau plant organs that were analyzed showed higher size values in comparison with diploid Columbia plants. The tetraploid chromosome number was confirmed by analysis of mitotic metaphase cells and rDNA loci were localized. 35S rDNA loci were present on chromosomes 2 and 4, while 5S rDNA, which is polymorphic among A. thaliana ecotypes, were present on chromosomes 4 and 5. Well-characterized autotetraploid plant material was used for in vitro culture to investigate somaclonal variation. Efficient regeneration through organogenesis was achieved. Most of the plants obtained in vitro exhibited an unchanged ploidy level. Detailed cytogenetic analysis that included chromosome, chromocenters and rDNA signals numbers, revealed the stability of regenerants. Based on these data we recommend the ecotype Warschau as a well-characterized plant material for future investigations on the consequences of polyploidy for the genome.
Highlights
Plant in vitro culture is extensively employed in fundamental research and in plant production, conservation and improvement
The tetraploid chromosome number was confirmed by analysis of mitotic metaphase cells and rDNA loci were localized. 35S rDNA loci were present on chromosomes 2 and 4, while 5S rDNA, which is polymorphic among A. thaliana ecotypes, were present on chromosomes 4 and 5
The morphology and growth stages of the tetraploid ecotype Warschau were compared to the diploid Columbia (Col-0) ecotype, which is widely used and well characterized as a model ecotype of A. thaliana (Boyes et al 2001)
Summary
Plant in vitro culture is extensively employed in fundamental research and in plant production, conservation and improvement. In addition to culture conditions, such as type and concentration of growth regulators or the regeneration system, the type of explant has been proven to play an important role (Hao and Deng 2002; Plader et al 1998). In polysomatic plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, an explant can be the source of a preexisting variation due to the presence of endopolyploid cells in the vegetative tissues (Galbraith et al 1991). A. thaliana, as a model dicot plant, has been widely investigated in
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