title: Organogenesis in Camellia x williamsii: cytokinin requirement and susceptibility to antibiotics.
abstract: The genetic transformation of plants calls for efficient organogenetic methods. Both cytokinins and antibiotics were tested to evaluate shoot regeneration from internodes of in vitro plants of Camellia x williamsii cv Debbie. High regeneration rates were achieved by using thidiazuron, which turned out to be more effective than 6-benzylaminopurine. Up to 96% of explants regenerated when thidiazuron was used, whereas no more than 75% regenerated using 6-benzylaminopurine. The best average number of shoots per regenerant explant was 9.7 and 5.6 regarding respectively thidiazuron and 6-benzylaminopurine. Kanamycin, used in combination with the best performing thidiazuron concentration, completely blocked regeneration at 129 μM. Cefotaxime at 524 μM decreased the regeneration ability, especially when 2 day preculture was applied. The application of genetic transformation protocols as well as the main aims of genetic engineering in ornamental camellias are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Minoprio, Viale Raimondi, 54, 22070, Vertemate con Minoprio (Como), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vasconi