In vitro propagation of cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis for hybrid seed production

Abstract

Methods for obtaining heterotic F1 and maintaining purebred lines for breeding of Brassica oleracea are limited by absence of male sterile lines and occurrence of inbreeding depression, respectively. The use of vegetative (stem, petiole, leaf, leaf rib) and floral (peduncle, pedicel, flower bud, curd) explants of cauliflower to regenerate purebred lines for crossing were examined. Of four growth regulator treatments and explant types used, best results were obtained with curd explants on MS medium with 6-benzyladenine (cytokinin) and gibberellic acid. Although 6-benzyladenine alone promoted formation of shoots in floral explants, both 6-benzyladenine and α-napthaleneacetic acid were required..