Genetic analysis of the response of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) somatic tissue to in vitro cultivation

The response of linseed somatic tissue to in vitro cultivation can be improved if the gene action involved is known. Nine homozygous lines, seven F1 and fifty F2 plants were cultivated in MS basal medium with 0.1 mg/l BAP. Callogenesis and regeneration analyses were done using a random model in order to separate environmental and genotypic effects at 10, 20 and 30 days after culture initiation. Genetic variability for callogenesis and regeneration was observed, that could be used in a breeding program. The appropriate period for the evaluation of callogenesis was at 20 days after culture initiation. For regeneration, this moment would depend on the selection criterion adopted. To select genotypes on the basis of earliness in shooting at 10 days would be preferable, while for ability of producing shoots, 30days would be more suitable. For both characters the analyses of genetic action indicated that, non-additive effects were involved in the culture response, however the expression of callogenesis and regeneration ability had different genetic basis.