Agronomy (Nov 2024)

In Vitro Plant Regeneration of <i>Sulla coronaria</i> from Floral Explants as a Biotechnological Tool for Plant Breeding

  • Monica Auteri,
  • Angela Carra,
  • Giuseppe Di Miceli,
  • Nicolò Iacuzzi,
  • Alessandro Albano,
  • Nicoletta Lala,
  • Antonio Motisi,
  • Caterina Catalano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112667
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 11
p. 2667

Abstract

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Sulla coronaria L. Medik., a biennial forage legume typical of the Mediterranean basin, plays a significant role in foraging systems due to its high nutritional value, ability to increase ruminant live weight, and potential to reduce methane emissions. However, its allogamous nature complicates genetic improvement and the development of new varieties with desired traits. Given these challenges, this study aims to develop, for the first time, a successful protocol for the in vitro meristematic shoot regeneration of S. coronaria. The experiment utilizes four different flower explants (anther with filament, ovary, petals, and whole immature flower) collected from twenty distinct S. coronaria biotypes with three plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations and under both light and dark conditions. In terms of the regeneration response, the key factors appear to be the combinations of PGRs and the type of explant used. The interactions between all the factors do not seem to be significant.

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