Adventitious regeneration of blackberry, blueberry, and kiwiberry and assessment of genetic stability by ISSR markers

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq.) belong to the non-traditional and potentially attractive small fruits for consumers. The aim of this work was to examine adventitious regeneration ability of cultivars 'Loch Ness' (R. fruticosus), 'Weiki' (A. arguta), 'Brigitta Blue' and 'Toro' (V. corymbosum). Three types of explants (whole leaves /leaf segments in case of A. arguta/, petioles, and internodal segments) and various plant growth regulators were tested for their ability to induce adventitious shoots. Shoot multiplication was also evaluated. All cultivars tested were able to regenerate shoots from petioles and internodal segments, but leaves were only suitable for blueberry cultivars. Genotype-dependent differences in shoot induction and regeneration were found in blueberry. The highest regeneration rate (4.3 shoots/explant in mean) was achieved in blueberry cultivar 'Brigitta Blue' from whole leaves cultivated on WPM medium with 4 mg l(-1) zeatin. Shoot multiplication was successful in all cultivars. Genetic stability of the V. corymbosum 'Brigitta Blue' regenerants was confirmed and no polymorphism was detected. Therefore, presented protocol can be used for further applications such as genetic transformation or plant germplasm conservation techniques.