Intergeneric and interspecific hybrids through in vitro ovule culture in the Cruciferae

Abstract

A procedure to obtain interspecific and intergeneric hybrids has been developed through culture in vitro of ovules of cruciferous crops using Brassica oleracea as the female plant. A modified medium of Murashige and Skoog supplemented with 10% (v/v) coconut milk, 300 mg/l casein hydrolysate, 0.1 mg/l 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.1 mg/l kinein were effective for culturing hybrid ovules. All the interspecific and intergeneric hybrids between B. oleracea and Brassica campestris; and between B. oleracea and Raphanus sativus had an intermediate plant morphology in combination with their parental traits. Hybrids of cross combinations between B. oleracea and B. campestris, and between B. olecacea and R. sativus were amphihaploids. This was revealed through chromosome and isozyme analyses.