A Highly Efficient Castor Regeneration System Identified through WUSCHEL Expression

Abstract

The key problems that limit the application of molecular breeding tools in castor are the inconsistency and inefficiency of the existing regeneration response in this plant. In the present study, we have examined and attempted to correlate the WUS gene expression in the castor explants with their shoot bud forming efficacy following the induction of embryogenic cells under various culture conditions using RT-qPCR method. By pre- treating the seedling-derived epicotyls explants with appropriate cytokine, a budding rate of > 80% could be achieved when a treatment of 0.35 mg/l BA for 5 days was employed. The corresponding WUS expression in such explants was found to be concentration and pretreatment duration dependent. The relevance of regeneration system developed in this study is discussed in the light of genetic transformation studies being presently carried out in this plant s