PLANT-REGENERATION FROM MESOPHYLL PROTOPLASTS OF MATTHIOLA-INCANA (L) R BR

A protocol for obtaining regenerated fertile plants from mesophyll protoplasts of three lines of Matthiola incana is described. Protoplasts were isolated from leaves of 21-28 days old Matthiola plants grown in controlled environment. Sustained divisions were achieved when protoplasts were embedded in sodium alginate. Up to 2.0 % of the protoplasts developed into colonies which could be transferred to shoot regeneration media. More than 25 % of the obtained calluses regenerated shoots. About 4 % of these shoots could be rooted and after transfer to soil phenotypically normal plants have been obtained.